Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is a frequent complication in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 receiving dialysis. SHPT is an adaptive response to CKD and is characterized by an elevation in parathyroid hormone (PTH) and consecutively high calcium levels. Elevations in calcium levels, phosphate levels, and PTH are correlated with CKD disease progression as well as development or aggravation of cardiovascular impairment. Many CKD patients cannot be treated well with Vitamin D analogues because of effects on calcium. Hypercalcemia is a well - known factor for cardiac disease. No data are available in Austria for a cohort with cardiac disease treated with Zemplar (paricalcitol IV).
