Comorbidities in Chronic Kidney Disease

The first edition of Comorbidities in Chronic Kidney Disease is focused on the main clinical syndromes associated with renal failure. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are characterized by a wide spectrum of comorbidities, potentially complicating patients clinical outcomes. In this volume, both editor and authors have planned a complete review of the main clinical syndromes associated with renal injury and failure. The first chapter is dedicated to epidemiological aspects of chronic kidney disease, and also introduces risk factors and associated comorbidities. Arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are actually accountable as major risk factors for developing renal disease, and the next chapter is mainly focused on the latest trials in this field. The following chapter is dedicated to pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis in patients with declined renal function. The subsequent chapter is exhaustively focused on the clinical features of secondary hyperparathyroidism and the diseases complications on kidneys, bone, vessels and heart, from early laboratory findings to severe vascular and heart valvular calcifications. The section that succeeds reflects on secondary anemia and consequent cardiorenal anemia syndrome with particular attention on the latest treatment schedules. Coronary artery disease is also discussed, especially for those concerned with clinical features and laboratory diagnosis in chronic kidney disease patients with impaired clearance of coronary acute syndrome biomarkers. Cardiorenal syndrome and sudden cardiac death are well-established clinical aspects in CKD patients, and they are discussed both in terms of pathophsysiological and clinical features. The book finally ends with two sections on hepato-renal syndrome and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). CIN represents daily challenges for all nephrologists because due to the large amounts of instrumental diagnostic tests and an increasing number of chronic kidney disease patients involved. This volume could be appreciated both by nephrologists and all clinicians involved in chronic patients management due to schematic and practical editing and form.