Current Appraisal and Gaps in Knowledge in Cardio–Kidney Metabolic Syndrome Definition

Although metabolic, renal, and cardiovascular disorders frequently coexist, little is known about how illness combinations affect prognosis. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which can manifest as coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, heart failure (HF), arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death, is more likely to develop in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This link is closer with regard of heart failure (HF) and renal dysfunction, in which a reciprocal relationship has been demonstrated, with the initial illness of one organ causing the progressive dysfunction of the other system. Common risk factors for both illnesses include obesity, diabetes, metabolic disorders, hypertension, and dyslipemia. Theoretically, each of these factors accelerates the atherosclerotic process or directly damages the endothelium through inflammatory, oxidative, and pro-thrombotic pathways, which in turn causes the beginning of heart dysfunction and renal function deterioration. Although the mechanisms and causes have been identified, there are still a number of unanswered questions regarding classification, development, monitoring, and preventive aspects. Furthermore, the absence of reliable data on cardiac and renal outcomes across different stages contributes to creating confusion in CKM classification and management. This paper discusses the current challenges and perspectives in CKM definition and assessment proposing a specific diagnostic and laboratory fingerprint.