APOL1 and chronic kidney disease: Studies investigating a possible relationship between the APOL1 risk variants and CVD have reported conflicting results13, with some reporting an association14–18 and others finding no association.19,20 In an autopsy cohort, APOL1 risk variants were independently associated with an increased risk of thrombotic coronary death due to plaque rupture.21 However, CKD promotes CVD, which makes it more challenging to establish an independent role for APOL1 in CVD.