Anemia, hypertension, and myocardial dysfunction in end-stage renal disease.

Cardiovascular disease remains the major cause of mortality in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). The pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction in ESRD is complex and not fully understood. However, it appears that the two major determinants of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and dysfunction are anemia and hypertension, both of which are very common in ESRD patients. Early and aggressive correction of anemia and hypertension may have a significant impact on cardiac disease in ESRD patients. This article presents a discussion on the management of anemia and hypertension, and the current information available on the pathogenesis and management of LV dysfunction in ESRD.