**1. Chronic Kidney Disease**

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) a ffects an increasing number of patients worldwide and is associated with dramatically increased morbidity and mortality [1,2]. Recent data sugges<sup>t</sup> that CKD currently affects more than 10% of the population in the developed world [3,4].

Diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure are among the most prevalent risk factors for the development of CKD and are responsible for the majority of cases. Other conditions that a ffect the kidneys are glomerulonephritis, the third most common type of kidney disease, inherited diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease, and loss of renal tissue due to infections, malformations or urinary tract obstruction. Repeated episodes of acute kidney injury and certain therapeutics, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also contribute to CKD [2].

In end-stage renal failure, dialysis and subsequent kidney transplantation are the only available treatment options apart from palliative care. However, not all patients qualify for kidney transplantation and transplant waiting times are often long. Thus, patients usually undergo many years of dialysis treatment. Longstanding uremia in turn promotes cardiovascular disease. Consequently, the leading causes of death in dialysis patients are sudden cardiac death and recurrent heart failure due to cardiac and vascular remodeling [5].
