Aortic Stiffness and Heart Failure in Chronic Kidney Disease

Purpose of Review To provide an update on the recent findings in the field of aortic stiffness and heart failure in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recent Findings Stratification of cardiovascular risk in CKD remains an open question. Recent reports suggest that aortic stiffness, an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in many patient populations, is also an important prognostic factor in CKD. Also, novel measures of myocardial tissue characterization, native T1 and T2 mapping techniques, have potential as diagnostic and prognostic factors in CKD. Summary Cardiovascular magnetic resonance has the ability to thoroughly evaluate novel imaging markers: aortic stiffness, native T1, and native T2. Novel imaging markers can be used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes as well as potential therapeutic targets in CKD population.