New developments in hyperphosphatemia management.

Patients with chronic renal failure have many associated medical problems, including a high propensity for cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD and stroke are the leading causes of mortality in patients with ESRD (chronic kidney disease stage 5), with a 10to 20-fold greater risk than in the general population (1,2). These data have generated greater awareness of cardiovascular risk in the chronic renal failure patient, and the most recent National Kidney Foundation guidelines for chronic kidney disease (CKD) state that patients with CKD and kidney transplant recipients should be considered in the highest risk group for CVD (3). Indeed, the significance of CVD in this patient population is such that a separate guideline to address the issue of CVD in patients with CKD is in development.