Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4: the missing link between chronic kidney disease and FGF23-induced left ventricular hypertrophy?

Serum phosphorus and the regulatory hormone fibroblast growth factor 23 have been strongly linked to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. A recent study identified fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 as the primary receptor mediating the effect of fibroblast growth factor 23 on left ventricular hypertrophy, providing new mechanistic insights and a potential therapeutic target to reduce cardiovascular morbidity in chronic kidney disease.