Cardiac Remodeling : Molecular Mechanisms, Treatment and Clinical Implications

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in almost 40% of patients suffering from end stage renal disease (ESRD). Cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease are the most frequent causes of cardiac death. The risk of cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients is 10 to 20 times greater than the general population, particularly in younger patients, taking into account that the relative risk decreases with age. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the most common cardiac abnormality in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the survival risk ratio in such patients is independent. This book examines the molecular mechanisms, treatments and clinical implication of cardiac remodeling. The first chapter discusses risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The following chapters examine the impacts tropomyosin, vitamin D, and coffee have on cardiac remodeling.