The mechanisms underlying acute myocardial infarction in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hemodialysis is one of the main treatments for patients with end-stage kidney disease. Epidemiological data has shown that acute myocardial infarction (AMI) accounts for the main reason for death in patients with CKD under hemodialysis therapy. Immune dysfunction and changes in metabolism (including a high level of inflammatory cytokines, a disorder of lipid and mineral ion homeostasis, accumulation of uremic toxins et al.) during CKD can deteriorate stability of atherosclerotic plaque and promote vascular calcification, which are exactly the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the occurrence of AMI. Meanwhile, the hemodialysis itself also has adverse effects on lipoprotein, the immune system and hemodynamics, which contribute to the high incidence of AMI in these patients. This review aims to summarize the mechanisms and further promising methods of prevention and treatment of AMI in CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis, which can provide an excellent paradigm for exploring the crosstalk between the kidney and cardiovascular system.