[Pathogenesis and treatment of vascular calcification in CKD]

G Ital Nefrol. 2009 Mar-Apr:26 Suppl 45:S20-7.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

Increased vascular calcification is a major cause of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is the result of an active ossification process counteracted by ''bone'' proteins such as osteopontin, alkaline phosphatase, osteoprotegerin, and osteocalcin. Chronic kidney disease - mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) is a systemic disorder of mineral and bone metabolism that occurs in CKD. In addition to abnormalities in the serum calcium and phosphate profile, CKD-MBD is characterized by abnormalities of bone turnover, mineralization, volume and growth as well as vascular calcification. Considering that the presence and extent of vascular calcification in CKD portend a poor prognosis, many efforts have been made to shed light on this complicated phenomenon to prevent vascular calcium deposition and its progression. Indeed, careful control of calcium load, serum phosphate and parathyroid hormone along with the use of calcium-free phosphate binders and vitamin D receptor activators represent a new therapeutic armamentarium to improve quality of life and reduce mortality in CKD.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Calcinosis / blood
  • Calcinosis / drug therapy*
  • Calcinosis / metabolism*
  • Calcinosis / pathology
  • Calcium / blood
  • Chelating Agents / therapeutic use
  • Chronic Disease
  • Coronary Artery Disease / metabolism
  • Disease Progression
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / blood
  • Kidney Diseases / complications*
  • Kidney Diseases / drug therapy
  • Kidney Diseases / metabolism*
  • Kidney Diseases / pathology
  • Parathyroid Hormone / blood
  • Phosphates / blood
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Prognosis
  • Quality of Life
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / metabolism
  • Vascular Diseases / blood
  • Vascular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Vascular Diseases / metabolism*
  • Vascular Diseases / pathology
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Chelating Agents
  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Phosphates
  • Vitamin D
  • Calcium