What Researchers Did
Researchers reviewed the current understanding of vascular calcification in patients with chronic kidney failure, especially those undergoing dialysis.
What They Found
The study found that vascular calcification rapidly increases in patients on dialysis, leading to important abnormalities in blood vessel flexibility and an increased risk of cardiovascular death. High extracellular phosphate concentration is identified as a major driver of this calcification, and while high doses of calcium-based phosphate binders are associated with vascular calcification, using sevelamer to achieve the same serum phosphate level greatly slows its progression.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients with chronic kidney failure, particularly those on dialysis, face a significant risk of vascular calcification, which can lead to serious heart problems. Effective management of phosphate levels, potentially through the use of non-calcium-based binders like sevelamer, could help slow the progression of this condition and improve their long-term cardiovascular health.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The review notes that the exact roles of hyperbaric oxygen, steroid therapy, and non-warfarin anticoagulation in treating established calcific uraemic arteriolopathy remain uncertain.