Chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular risk: Pathophysiology and interventional approaches – systematic review

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health concern due to its association with increased cardiovascular risk. Patients with CKD, especially those with moderate to severe renal dysfunction, face a heightened risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. This systematic review evaluates the relationship between CKD and cardiovascular risk, focusing on the pathophysiology, risk factors, and clinical outcomes related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in CKD populations. Methods: A comprehensive search of electronic databases was conducted for studies investigating CKD and cardiovascular risk. Seven studies, including cross-sectional, and cohort designs, were included in this review. These studies involved a total of 104,576 participants, with diverse stages of CKD and varying cardiovascular risk profiles. Data on renal dysfunction stages, cardiovascular risk factors, and mortality outcomes were extracted and analyzed. Results: The studies consistently demonstrated that CKD is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including coronary heart disease and stroke, compared to individuals without CKD. Even early stages of CKD were linked to a higher likelihood of CVD. Participants with CKD exhibited a greater burden of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity. The overall mortality rate from cardiovascular causes was also higher in CKD patients, with some studies reporting a two-fold or greater increase in risk. Conclusion: CKD is strongly linked to an increased cardiovascular risk, with higher stages of renal dysfunction associated with a more significant risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This review emphasizes the need for early detection and comprehensive management of cardiovascular risk factors in CKD patients. Future research should focus on identifying novel biomarkers and evaluating the long-term efficacy of emerging therapies in reducing cardiovascular risk in CKD populations.