Cardiovascular status in newly detected chronic kidney disease patients

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among chronic kidney disease patients. This study aims to assess the cardiovascular status of newly detected chronic kidney disease patients in northern India.

All the patients who attended renal OPD were reviewed (for one year). Patients with-elevated blood urea and serum creatinine levels with confirmed medical renal disease on USG were included in the-study. Any history of previous renal disease/failure, rheumatoid arthritis, documented connective tissue disorders, liver disorders, malignancy, pregnancy, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, were excluded from the current-study. Total of 42 newly detected CKD patients was included in the study. Their ECG and echocardiography were performed.

ECG analysis revealed no rhythm or ischemic disease but 27 out of the 42 patients (64.29%) showed mild to moderate left ventricular hypertrophy. The echocardiographic examination confirmed the hypertrophy diagnosis in 61.9% of patients.

Newly diagnosed CKD patients even without previous history of cardiovascular symptoms may be present with advanced cardiovascular abnormalities. Cardiovascular and kidney diseases may have a common cause and together result in a very poor prognosis. Thus screening, early diagnosis, and treatment of these risk factors must become a priority.