| [ Summary ] |
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease frequently occurs in uremic patients receiving long-term dialysis and it is the leading cause of death in those patients. The mechanisms for the advance of atherosclerosis in dialysis patients are numerous. However, plasma lipid abnormalities have been identified as significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease and long-term survival in such patients. The prominent characteristics of lipid abnormalities in dialysis patients are an increase in serum triglyceride levels and a decrease in HDL-cholesterol. VLDL and IDL, which are more atherogenic, increase in such patients. It has previously been reported that hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-cholesterol and elevated IDL are independent risk factors for atherosclerosis. Howeyer, there have been no clinical trials to determine the relationship between lipid abnormalities and long-term survival rates, or the relationship between lipid-lowering agents and long-term survival in dialysis patients. As yet, there is no consensus on adequately defining the critical levels of lipids in dialysis patients. Additional intervention trials are needed to better define the relationship between lipid abnormalities and atherosclerosis, for the long-term survival of dialysis patients. |