Vascular complications in patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease. A review of the literature and current clinical recommendations

Abstract

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is the most common genetic cause of renal failure. Apart from kidney involvement, patients are at risk of extra-renal manifestations, including vascular lesions. The etiology of vascular changes is diverse and depends, among other factors, on polycystin gene mutation, increased activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the occurrence of hypertension. The observed vascular system complications include cerebral artery aneurysms, cervico-encephalic arteries' dissection, aortic aneurysm and dissection and intracranial arterial dolichoectasia. This article discusses the etiopathogenesis, symptomatology, principles of prevention and treatment of the aforementioned diseases of the vascular system accompanying polycystic kidney disease.