Cardiovascular Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease: Bridging the Knowledge Gap

Original Article

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global emerging health problem that has a well-established relationship with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The connection between CKD and CVD arises since these are associated with common risk factors, including hypertension and diabetes, causing high mortality rates. It is therefore important to establish the links between CKD and cardiovascular events so as to enhance the development of interventions.

Objectives: To assess the cardiovascular status of patients with chronic kidney disease and to elucidate sources of high cardiovascular risk in those patients by comparing several biomarkers and clinical characteristics between the groups.

Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of study: Department of General Medicine, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from March 2023 to june 2023

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study on 120 patients with CKD as follows; Cardiovascular health was determined with blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and protein biomarkers including troponin T and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP). Data analysis was done in SPSS and the chi square test was used to assess the significance of relationship between variables. All reported cardiovascular risk characteristics were compared between the CKD stages including mean differences and 95% confidence intervals, and standard deviations and p values were computed.

Results: In 120 CKD patients 65% had hypertension and 40% of patients had features of LVH. The average troponin was 0. 05 (!) ng/mL ±0. 01 and NT-proBrain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) of the patients was on an average of 500 ± 150 pg/mL. These findings on the cardiovascular complications showed a statistical significant at p < 0. 05 in the various CKD stages. SD for systolic blood pressure was ±12 mmHg ; p = 0. 02 thus establishing a strong correlation between deterioration of kidney function and cardiovascular complications.

Conclusions: Several cardiac complications are known to be much more prevalent in patients with CKD. Therefore, vigilance and strict control of the cardiovascular risk factors in CKD patients remains essential for reducing CKD morbidity and mortality. Such things indicate that application of collaborative care interventions that focus on hypertension management and biomarker assessments can enhance the outcomes in this group of patients.