Vascular calcification: not so crystal clear.
Patients with renal failure are predisposed to calcification of the medial layer of arteries. This calcification is far more complex than simple precipitation of calcium and phosphate and involves multiple forms of calcium phosphate. Like bone, calcification in the vessels also involves biologic events. The two are necessarily linked and unraveling the pathophysiology will require an understanding of both.
O'Neill
W C
WC
Renal Division, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. woneill@emory.edu
D000818:Animals; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*