Topic Highlight
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World J Cardiol. May 26, 2014; 6(5): 216-226
Published online May 26, 2014. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v6.i5.216
Are there ways to attenuate arterial calcification and improve cardiovascular outcomes in chronic kidney disease?
Thanh-Mai Vo, Sinee Disthabanchong
Thanh-Mai Vo, Division of Nephrology, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO 63110, United States
Sinee Disthabanchong, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Author contributions: Vo TM and Disthabanchong S equally contributed to this paper.
Correspondence to: Sinee Disthabanchong, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, 270 Rama VI Rd, Phayathai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. sineemd@hotmail.com
Telephone: +66-2-2011116 Fax: +66-2-2011400
Received: December 27, 2013
Revised: March 11, 2014
Accepted: April 17, 2014
Published online: May 26, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: Arterial calcification is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Factors specific to CKD such as hyperphosphatemia, excess of calcium and high dose vitamin D therapy play important roles in the development of arterial calcification. Statin is ineffective in lowering the calcification burden. Data on diabetes and blood pressure controls and smoking cessation on cardiovascular outcomes in CKD population are limited. Available treatment strategies include non-calcium containing phosphate binders, low dose active vitamin D and calcimimetic agent. Preliminary data on bisphosphonates, vitamin K and sodium thiosulfate are encouraging but larger studies on efficacy and outcomes are needed.