Causal Connections From Chronic Kidney Disease to Cardiac Fibrosis

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease and heart failure are the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. Because impairment of kidney function correlates with heart failure and cardiac fibrosis, a kidney-heart axis is suspected. Although our understanding of the underlying mechanisms still is evolving, the possibility that kidney-heart messengers could be intercepted offers ample reason to focus on this clinically highly relevant problem. Here, we review the current knowledge of how kidney injury causes heart failure and fibrosis.

Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Klotho; cardiac fibrosis; endothelial-mesenchymal transition; fibroblasts; phosphate.