| [ Summary ] |
In chronic dialysis patients, hyperphosphatemia is inevitable because of the decreased excretion of phosphorus by the kidney. The resulting hyperphos phatemia leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism (2°HPT), renal osteodystrophy (ROD) and vascular calcifications. Dietary phosphorus restriction is not adequate to control serum phosphorus levels, and several kinds of phosphate binders have been applied to treat hyperphosphatemia Alminium, Ca and Mg salts were the representatives of them. However, recently new agents without notable adverse events have been under clinical investigation, including sevelamer, which is now commercially available in the USA and Europe. These new agents, with serum phosphorus suppressing action, are expected to effectively prevent and treat 2°HPT and ROD. |