Management of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome in the chronic kidney disease population-A review of the current literature

Abstract

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a large contributor to morbidity and mortality in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) population. Due to the fact that many large-scale trials evaluating management for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and CAD have excluded patients with CKD, there is a paucity of data investigating medical management of CAD and revascularization strategies of these patients. Further, while there have been many advances in the treatment for ACS and CAD, both medically and technologically, few studies have focused on the CKD population and many predate these advancements in management. Newer studies that include CKD patients have shown heterogeneity in various outcomes, making management decisions challenging. In this review, we summarize the epidemiologic significance of ACS and CAD in patients with CKD, discuss the diagnosis of ACS in this patient population, and review the therapeutic interventions in patients with CKD.

Keywords: Cardiovascular; challenging patients; epidemiology; kidney transplant.