Volume 11 Issue 8, August 2015

Assessment of arterial stiffness by pulse wave velocity can predict cardiovascular mortality in patients with renal failure. New research shows that atenolol is superior to lisinopril in reducing arterial stiffness in patients with hypertension undergoing haemodialysis. This finding might revive interest for further studies on vascular protection mediated by β-blockers.

Kidney transplantation in patients with end-stage renal disease is efficacious, cost-effective, and improves quality of life relative to maintenance dialysis; the availability of donor kidneys, however, is limited. Determining the most appropriate method by which to allocate deceased donor organs in an efficient and just manner poses a complex challenge.

Although autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is the most common monogenic kidney disease worldwide, its pathogenic mechanisms are incompletely understood. In this Review, Vicente Torres and colleagues propose a hypothesis in which the disruption of calcium signalling that results from mutations inPKD1 or PKD2is perpetuated by the consequent dysregulation of cAMP and purinergic signalling, which magnifies the effect of vasopressin to further disrupt calcium signalling and activate downstream signalling pathways that cause impaired tubulogenesis, increased cell proliferation, increased fluid secretion and interstitial inflammation.

Post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a frequent complication among renal transplant recipients, and is associated with cardiovascular disease and reduced lifespan. In this Review, Jenssen and Hartmann discuss the diagnostic criteria for PTDM and evaluate available and emerging treatment options, highlighting the considerations that should be made when selecting an appropriate therapeutic regimen.

Improved survival of patients with haematological malignancies owing to advancements in therapy emphasizes the need for heightened awareness of renal complications that can occur as a result of such malignancies or their treatment. Here, the authors examine the incidences, aetiologies, mechanisms and treatment options for a variety of renal disorders associated with haematological malignancies. As haematopoietic stem cell transplantation emerges as an important therapy for haematological malignancies, they also consider the renal complications of this procedure.

The high prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) places considerable pressure on health-care systems worldwide. In this Review, Donal O'Donoghue and colleagues discuss the effectiveness of health-care interventions for early-stage CKD to limit progression to end-stage renal disease. They highlight the need to improve awareness of CKD and its risk factors, and discuss the optimum time to intervene and the most appropriate model of care to adopt.