Edwards NC et al. - Early stage CKD is characterized by reduced aortic distensibility and increases in arterial, ventricular systolic and diastolic stiffness; arterial-ventricular coupling is preserved. This pattern of patho-physiological abnormalities resembles that seen in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and may account for the high levels of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients at all stages of CKD.
