In patients with end-stage dialysis-dependent renal failure, increased calcification of the coronary vessels, of the cardiac valves and other myocardial tissue, as well as an increase in the calcium x phosphate product is frequently seen. An association is also seen with an increased mortality. Block and colleagues were able to show that the relative mortality risk in patients with an increased calcium x phosphate product is increased and that increased cardiovascular causes of death could be seen. An increased calcium x phosphate product potentiates the calcification of arterial vascular walls and thus produces reduced elasticity. Using electron beam computer tomography it could be shown that calcification in the region of the coronary vessels was observed much more frequently in patients with end-stage renal failure than in healthy control persons.