This issue of Hot Topics in Cardiology is a mixture of 2 hot topics and how they interact. One key area in cardiology focuses on high-risk patients. Recently, a vital connection has been found between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), based on estimated glomerular filtration rate. Patients with both these designations are considered high-risk patients. This is somewhat akin to patients with diabetes mellitus, whom we all know are high risk. Now that we can easily identify patients with CKD and CVD, and label them, we can focus our attention on how to improve their care. This is all the more important because they are increasing in numbers in our daily practice.
The other hot area in cardiology focuses on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. This is a simple and safe treatment that has proved to be quite effective for prevention of CVD. Studies such as the Japan EPA Lipid Intervention Study (JELIS) and the Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell’Infarto miocardico (GISSI) Prevenzione trial have shown reductions in major cardiovascular events, including mortality, with use of omega-3 fatty acids.
In this issue, Svensson and Christensen present these two hot topics, and the many advances and improvements in care of patients with CKD when using omega-3 fatty acids. Thus, readers will learn a great deal on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids and how they can improve the care of patients with CVD and CKD.