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Invited Commentary
March 2017

Challenges of Assessing Common Problems Presenting in Uncommon High-Risk Patient Populations

Author Affiliations
  • 1Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
JAMA Cardiol. 2017;2(3):258-259. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2016.5207

Ring the bells that still can ring, forget your perfect offering, there is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.

Leonard Cohen, “Anthem,” Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 1992

In patients with end-stage renal failure, dialysis (although lifesaving) carries personal and medical burdens unlike any other chronic medical condition.1 In this population, cardiovascular disease accounts for substantive morbidity and nearly half of their mortality.2 The gracious gift of a kidney donation from either a living or deceased donor changes every aspect of the recipient’s life including reducing their overall mortality.

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