The risk of developing cardiovascular (CV) disease is increased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and although dyslipidaemia is a major contributory factor to the development of premature CV disease, the relationship is complex. Changes in lipid fractions are related to glomerular filtration rate and the presence and severity of proteinuria, diabetes, and other confounding factors. The spectrum of CV disease changes from lipid-dependent, atheromatous coronary disease in early CKD to lipid-independent, non-coronary disease, manifesting as heart failure, and sudden cardiac death in advanced and end-stage renal disease.
Statin-based lipid-lowering therapy is proven to reduce coronary events across the spectrum of CKD. The relative reduction in overall CV events, however, diminishes as CKD progresses and the proportion of lipid-dependent coronary events declines. There is nevertheless a strong argument for the use of statin-based therapy across the spectrum of CKD. The argument is particularly strong for those patients with progressive renal disease who will eventually require transplantation, in whom preventive therapy should start as early as possible. The SHARP study established the benefits and endorses the use of lipid-lowering therapy in CKD 3-4 but uncertainty about the value of initiation of statin therapy in CKD 5 remains. There is, however, no rationale for stopping agents started earlier in the course of the illness for compelling indications, particularly in those who will ultimately be transplanted.
The place of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol raising and triglyceride lowering therapy needs to be assessed in trials.
Modifying dyslipidaemia in CKD has demonstrated that lipid-dependent atheromatous cardiovascular disease is only one component of the burden of CV disease in CKD patients, that this is proportionately less in advanced CKD, and that modification of lipid profiles is only one part of CV risk management.
Is Non Dipping Hypertension Associated with Dyslipidemia, Type 2 Diabetes or Chronic Kidney Disease?
