End-stage renal disease patients have a greatly increased risk of cardiovascular disease
partly attributed to the elevated levels of systemic inflammation observed in uraemia.
One of the key mechanisms underlying inflammation appears to be the immune
dysfunction that afflicts almost every aspect of the uraemic immune system. As a
consequence patients experience immunosuppression and reduced responsiveness to
antigen as well as a simultaneous over-activation leading to a pro-inflammatory
environment. In addition, the haemodialysis (HD) treatment itself induces a proinflammatory
response but may provide an otherwise opportune time to complete
supervised exercise. [Continues.
