[Vascular calcification and arteriosclerosis in chronic kidney disease patients]

Abstract

In recent years the interest in understanding the clinical significance and the pathogenic mechanisms involved in vascular calcification has rapidly increased. There are three reasons that explain this increasing interest in vascular calcification by nephrologists: a) cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in uremic patients; b) hyperphosphatemia is a predictor of death and bone mineral disorders are not only responsible for renal osteodystrophy but are also involved in the pathophysiology of vascular calcification, and c) vascular calcification in large arteries reduces vascular compliance inducing serious hemodynamic consequence. The aim of this review is to analyze the clinical aspects, summarize the mechanisms involved in vascular calcification, as well as, the strategies to prevent or at least to slow down progression of vascular calcification.