Endothelial dysfunction in chronic kidney disease: determinant of susceptibility to end-organ damage and therapeutic response.

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) seems to be a crucial mediator of increased cardiovascular risk observed among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Importantly, systemic ED does not only occur in patients with severe renal failure, but also in individuals with earlier stages of CKD. Close association between microalbuminuria and systemic ED renders renal vascular function an important marker for the severity of cardiovascular damage.