The life expectancy of patients with end-stage renal failure is nowadays still less than 10 years. The annual mortality rate of patients with end-stage renal failure is almost 25%. Death of patients with end-stage renal failure is frequently the consequence of cardiovascular events. Cardiovascular events in patients with dialysis-dependent renal failure are particularly frequently seen because the traditional risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and smoking, are frequently present in this group. In addition, there are also numerous risk factors associated with the renal failure, such as increased oxidative stress, inflammatory vascular changes, excess salt and water load. Important cofactors for the increased mortality in dialysis patients are an inadequate removal of the "uremia toxins" or a uremia-induced malnutrition.