Vascular calcifications in patients with chronic kidney failure: epidemiology, diagnosis and possible therapy

Abstract

Vascular calcifications (VCs) are significantly more frequent in patients with chronic kidney disease than in the normal population. The high incidence of VCs and their progression are among factors causing high morbidity and mortality in these patients.

The diagnosis of VCs is most frequently based on radiological and ultrasound examinations. However, the methods used for quantifying the incidence of VCs are rather varied.

Medications used to treat CKD-MBD may both decelerate and accelerate the progression of VCs.

Keywords

• vascular calcifications
• chronic kidney failure
• phosphate binders
• vitamin D
• calcimimetics