Two organs, one fate: the intricate interplay between the heart and kidneys is not a simple equation, but a complex, bidirectional symphony in which dysfunction in one precipitates deterioration in the other. This reality highlights the strong connection between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patients with CKD face a cardiovascular risk that is significantly higher than that of the general population. CKD and CVD share common underlying mechanisms, including chronic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, metabolic dysregulation, and changes in gut microbiota. These factors contribute to the markedly increased cardiovascular risk in patients with CKD. However, management of this risk is often fragmented, indicating the need for a multidisciplinary and integrated approach.
Our Research Topic has compiled key studies that explore these shared mechanisms, offering new perspectives on emerging biomarkers, therapeutic strategies, and physiological interactions. For instance, Kaysi et al. demonstrated how pulmonary and systemic congestion in hemodialysis patients impacts cardiovascular mortality, emphasizing the importance of proactive volume management (1). Similarly, Rajnochova Bloudickova et al. highlighted the need for more effective risk stratification in kidney transplant recipients, while Zhao et al. assessed the diagnostic value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T in dialysis patients with myocardial infarction, underscoring the role of biomarkers in early diagnosis (2).
Systemic inflammation is another critical factor in the simultaneous involvement of the heart and kidneys. Orsi et al. analyzed multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children with associated proximal tubular injury, demonstrating how inflammation can have multi-organ effects (3). Meanwhile, Kim et al. showed that uncontrolled hypertension in kidney transplant recipients increases the risk of graft failure, reinforcing the importance of strict blood pressure monitoring. The link between hypertension and renal dysfunction is well-documented, as elevated blood pressure contributes to glomerular injury, worsening kidney function, and subsequently increasing cardiovascular morbidity (4).
Early diagnosis of cardiovascular complications in patients with CKD is another crucial aspect. Su et al. developed a risk model for the early detection of acute myocardial infarction in nephropathic patients, which improved the predictive ability over traditional models. Kwon et al. demonstrated that components of the metabolic syndrome influence the risk of adverse renal outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation, suggesting an integrated approach to the management of comorbidities. Wu et al. investigated the relationship between early-stage renal insufficiency and cardiac structural and functional abnormalities in a large population of asymptomatic Asians, indicating that even minor renal alterations may have significant cardiac implications. Finally, Molina Andújar et al. examined the impact of cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury on one-year major adverse kidney events, emphasizing the need for more effective preventive strategies in patients undergoing cardiovascular interventions (5).
These studies underscore the crucial role of various pathophysiological factors in the cardiorenal syndrome. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress accelerate endothelial damage and disease progression, while mitochondrial dysfunction compromises energy metabolism, exacerbating both heart and kidney failure. Endothelial dysfunction and vascular calcification increase the risk of major cardiovascular events, while gut microbiota alterations contribute to systemic inflammation and organ damage. Managing pulmonary and systemic congestion in hemodialysis patients is essential to reducing mortality and improving quality of life.
A growing body of research suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a pivotal role in cardiorenal syndrome. The inability of mitochondria to maintain cellular energy production leads to increased oxidative stress, which further exacerbates endothelial damage and metabolic disturbances. These dysfunctions set off a cascade of events that contribute to both renal and cardiac deterioration. Additionally, alterations in calcium-phosphate metabolism have been linked to vascular calcification, a major risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in patients with CKD.
Despite advancements in research, managing cardiovascular risk in patients with CKD remains challenging. The lack of an effective multidisciplinary approach and the underutilization of advanced biomarkers limit the efficacy of preventive strategies. Moreover, risk stratification often occurs only after cardiovascular symptoms appear, diminishing the impact of early intervention. Personalized therapies remain an ongoing challenge, as many cardiovascular treatments fail to account for the specificities of CKD.
To improve clinical outcomes, an innovative approach is required that includes closer collaboration among specialists, extensive use of biomarkers to refine diagnosis, and new therapeutic strategies such as SGLT2 inhibitors and finerenone to mitigate cardiovascular risk in nephropathic patients. Optimizing dialysis and transplantation management, incorporating cardiovascular risk considerations, is equally essential to enhance prognosis. Furthermore, therapeutic approaches targeting chronic inflammation and oxidative stress should be integrated into standard treatment protocols to address the underlying molecular pathways contributing to cardiorenal syndrome.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are also emerging as powerful tools for risk stratification and early diagnosis in patients with CKD. Predictive models utilizing large datasets can help identify high-risk individuals and personalize treatment plans, leading to improved outcomes. The integration of these technologies into clinical practice could revolutionize the way cardiovascular and renal risks are managed in the future.
These emerging insights present exciting new interventional possibilities and underscore the urgency of rethinking our cardiovascular approach to patients with CKD. Nephrology and cardiology can no longer exist in isolation. The future of cardiovascular medicine for CKD patients lies in a unified, integrative approach. Addressing CKD without taking the heart into account is like navigating a storm without a compass—eventually, the course will be lost.
Statements
Author contributions
NM: Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing, Formal analysis, Writing – original draft, Validation. MC: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Supervision. GD: Writing – review & editing, Visualization, Writing – original draft. EL: Conceptualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Generative AI statement
The author(s) declare that no Generative AI was used in the creation of this manuscript.
Publisher’s note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
References
1
La PortaELaninoLCalatroniMCaramellaEAvellaAQuinnCet al. Volume balance in chronic kidney disease: evaluation methodologies and innovation opportunities. Kidney Blood Press Res. (2021) 46:396–410. doi: 10.1159/000515172
2
ManciantiNMarescaBPalladinoMSalernoGCardelliPMenèPet al. Serum cardiac biomarkers in asymptomatic hemodialysis patients: role of soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2. Blood Purif. (2022) 51:155–62. doi: 10.1159/000515675
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DeferrariGCiprianiALa PortaE. Renal dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases and its consequences. J Nephrol. (2021) 34:137–53. doi: 10.1007/s40620-020-00842-w
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ZoccaliCMallamaciFHalimiJMRossignolPSarafidisPDe CaterinaRet al. From cardiorenal syndrome to chronic cardiovascular and kidney disorder: A conceptual transition. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. (2024) 19:813–20. doi: 10.2215/CJN.0000000000000361
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McCulloughPAAminAPantaloneKMRoncoC. Cardiorenal nexus: A review with focus on combined chronic heart and kidney failure, and insights from recent clinical trials. J Am Heart Assoc. (2022) 11:e024139. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.121.024139
Summary
Keywords
cardiorenal syndrome, chronic kidney disease progression, hemodialysis and cardiovascular risk, kidney transplantation, biomarkers in nephrology
Citation
Mancianti N, Calatroni M, Deferrari G and La Porta E (2025) Editorial: Kidney and heart cross-talk. Front. Nephrol. 5:1598135. doi: 10.3389/fneph.2025.1598135
Received
22 March 2025
Accepted
31 March 2025
Published
11 April 2025
Volume
5 - 2025
Edited and reviewed by
Amir Kazory, University of Florida, United States
Updates
Copyright
© 2025 Mancianti, Calatroni, Deferrari and La Porta.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Nicoletta Mancianti, mancianti25121988@gmail.com
Disclaimer
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.