During the past 10 years, chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been recognized as a major global health problem. Factors leading to decreased renal function are closely related to cardiovascular disease and vice versa. Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are substantially increased in patients with CKD, even in those with only mild or moderate renal impairment. A better understanding of pathogenesis, risk factors, and genetic conditions is strongly required for more specific treatment strategies in CKD because until now, knowledge is very limited.
