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Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in chronic kidney disease patients. Because of a higher occurrence of asymptomatic coronary artery disease and increased perioperative cardiovascular mortality in kidney transplant patients, screening for coronary artery disease before transplant surgery is essential. Various studies have shown that cardiac stress testing is an unreliable screening method in these patients because of significant variability in sensitivity and negative predictive value. We suggest that high-risk candidates such as those with diabetes or a prior history of myocardial infarction, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, or coronary artery disease should perhaps be considered for coronary angiography rather than stress testing as cardiac screening before kidney transplantation.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience serious adverse cardiovascular (CV) consequences. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with CKD, being secondary not only to an increased prevalence of traditional CV risk factors, but also to the presence of a wide array of nontraditional risk factors unique to patients with CKD. Pathogenesis includes both functional and structural alterations in the CV system. Those alterations give rise to a wide range of clinical CV syndromes, including ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest. As an increasingly prevalent disease, CKD, together with consequent CV disease, imparts major health and economic burdens to the community. In this review, we discuss traditional and nontraditional risk factors for CV disease, the pathogenesis of CV clinical syndromes, and prevention of CV syndromes in patients with CKD.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is underutilized across the United States. Reported national average varies from 14-35% after acute myocardial infraction and 31% after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. No study to date has examined the utilization of CR in eligible veteran population. In this retrospective study, computerized veteran medical records at a single Veterans Administration (VA) hospital were screened between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2009. Patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were surveyed telephonically and asked a series of questions relating to delivery and utilization of phase II CR. Data was collected using a pre-printed questionnaire and patient responses were number coded. Utilization rate of phase II CR in veterans was noted to be 21%. Common reasons reported for underutilization of CR included time and distance problems, orthopedic- and stroke-related muscle weakness and lack of motivation. Participation in Phase II CR led to better adherence to exercise long term. Also, 65-70% of the veterans expressed interest in a tailored home based CR program. CR is underutilized in eligible veterans. Compliance could possibly be improved if the veterans were offered a tailored CR program.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of cardiovascular events. Echocardiography is an integral part of the evaluation of coronary artery disease. Chronic kidney disease has a predictable and unique effect on the myocardium and the epicardial circulation that may be detected by echocardiography. In particular dobutamine stress echocardiography has proved to be an invaluable tool in the detection of cardiovascular disease in patients with CKD. Here, we review the usefulness of echocardiography in the detection and evaluation of coronary artery disease in patients with CKD.

Cardiac causes account for nearly half of all deaths in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Coronary artery disease (CAD) is present in 38% - 40% of patients starting dialysis. Both traditional and chronic kidney disease-related cardiovascular risk factors contribute to this high prevalence rate. In patients with ESRD, CAD--particularly acute myocardial infarction--is underdiagnosed. Dobutamine stress echocardiography and, to a lesser extent, stress myocardial perfusion imaging have proved useful in screening for CAD in such patients. Coronary artery calcium scoring is less useful. Acute myocardial infarction is associated with high short- and long-term mortality in dialysis patients. Cardiac troponin I appears to be more specific than cardiac troponin T or CK-MB in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are considered to belong to the highest risk group for the development of cardiovascular events. These patients should be subject to aggressive risk-factor modification. However, management of coronary artery disease in patients with CKD can be uniquely challenging. Many of the medications used in the treatment and prevention of coronary artery disease are metabolized or excreted by the kidney. Thus, patients with CKD are more likely to experience adverse effects from any attempt to aggressively modify risk factors for coronary artery disease. Little is known regarding revascularization in patients with CKD. Patients with CKD may benefit from off-pump strategies during coronary artery bypass. Percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with CKD is associated with lower procedural success and increased peri-procedural myocardial infarction, ischemia, and target vessel revascularization. In this review, we discuss the unique challenges of managing coronary artery disease in patients with CKD.

The heart failure disease state is challenging, time consuming and expensive to manage. Physicians are responsible for initiating, titrating and optimizing drug and device therapy to reduce morbidity and mortality. Failure to manage these aspects of care often results in worsening of symptoms and recurrent hospitalizations. This paper reviews the data implantable devices provide and how this data can assist in optimally managing the patient with heart failure.

Endogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) is a rare clinical entity associated with malignant neoplasms, connective tissue disease, benign bronchial tumors and rarely infections. We present to you the first case report of ELP associated with tuberculosis.

Congestive heart failure remains a primary cause of cardiovascular-related events. Heart failure patients face two health care challenges. First, they are uncertain about their prognosis and second, they have an unpredictable clinical course with recurrent exacerbations of heart failure. The echocardiogram is an easily accessible bedside test without any associated procedural complications. Additionally, it provides a wealth of information about chamber size and function, valve integrity and the pericardial sac. In the present review, the most common echocardiographic predictors of impending cardiac events in congestive heart failure are described.