Nephrol Dial Transplant (2000) 15: 2-6
© 2000 European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association
The careful correction of renal insufficiency abnormalities: early is good
Malpighi Department of Nephrology, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
Cardiovascular disease in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients starts early in the course of renal insufficiency and may be aggravated by renal replacement therapy. Many potential reversible risk factors are present in renal insufficiency. The identification and correction of these risk factors, in part delaying progression of renal failure, may reduce their role in ESRD cardiovascular disease significantly. Early referral of renal insufficiency patients to a nephrologist may be the real answer to the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of ESRD patients.
Keywords: cardiovascular disease; end-stage renal disease; pre-dialysis; risk factors
Correspondence and offprint requests to: Professor Pietro C. Zucchelli, Malpigli Department of Nephrology, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Via P. Palagi 9, 40138 Bologna. Italy.