American Heart Journal Plus (Feb 2023)

Small vessel disease: Connections between the kidney and the heart

  • Jacob K. Meariman,
  • Hannah Zulli,
  • Annalisa Perez,
  • S.D. Bajracharya,
  • Rajesh Mohandas

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26
p. 100257

Abstract

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Small vessel disease is characterized by global dysfunction of the microvascular system leading to reduced perfusion of various organ systems. The kidney is significantly vulnerable for microvascular dysfunction given its intricate capillary network and extensive endocrine influence. Studies have demonstrated a relationship between impaired renal function and small vessel disease in other organ systems, particularly the heart. Here we discuss the relationship between the kidney and the heart in the setting of microvascular dysfunction and identify areas of future study to better understand this relationship and potentially identify novel therapeutic strategies.

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