[Acute cardiorenal syndromes]

[Natriuretic peptides in intensive care medicine]

Natriuretic peptides must be interpreted in their clinical context, especially in intensive care medicine. This overview presents the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance of B‑type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N‑terminal pro B‑type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with cardiac dysfunction, kidney failure, sepsis, pulmonary embolism, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), and weaning from a respirator.

Early diagnosis of acute renal injury in patients with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure

AIM

To study the possibilities of previously diagnosing acute renal damage in patients with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure with reduced systolic function using biomarkers of acute renal injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 60 patients (62.0±11.1 years) with HADS (BNP >500 pg/ml) and a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LV 27.05% [23.25; 32.75], c FC III-IV NYHA). The level of creatinine, urea, uric acid, albumin in serum was determined in all patients, as well as a number of biomarkers: lipocalin associated with neutrophil gelatinase (NGAL) and cystatin C (CysC) in serum; kidney damage molecule-1 (KIM-1) and angiotensinogen (AGT) in the urine.

RESULTS

AKI is determined based on changes in serum creatinine concentration or diuresis value. The results obtained indicate a high specificity and sensitivity of the use of biomarkers for the diagnosis of AKI in patients with ADHF. NGAL AUC - 0.833 (p<0.001), Se - 82.8%, Sp - 4.2%. CysC AUC - 0.823 (p<0.001), Se - 79.3%, Sp - 74.2%. KIM-1 AUC - 0.782 (p<0.001), Se - 75.9%, Sp - 74.2%. AGT AUC - 0.829 (p<0.001), Se - 82.8%, Sp - 77.4%. In a multifactorial regression analysis, it was found that with NGAL greater than 157.35 ng/ml, the risk of AKI increases 13.1 times (95% CI 1.365-126.431), with an increase in KIM-1, the risk of the development of AKI increases 20.6 times (95% CI 1.802-235.524), and with an increase in AGT more than 14.31 leng/ml, the risk of AKI increases 32.8 times (95% CI 2.752-390.110).

CONCLUSION

Acute kidney injury develops in 48.3% of patients hospitalized with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure. Patients with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure and AKI have significantly higher serum NGAL and CysC, KIM-1 and AGT values in the urine compared with patients without impairing renal function. These biomarkers can serve both for the early diagnosis of acute kidney damage and the prediction of AKI in patients with acute decompensation of chronic heart failure.

Erythropoietin mediates brain-vascular-kidney crosstalk and may be a treatment target for pulmonary and resistant essential hypertension

Organ crosstalk pathways represent the next frontier for target-mining in molecular medicine for existing syndromes. Pulmonary hypertension and resistant essential hypertension are syndromes that have been proven elusive in etiology, and frequently refractory to first-line management. Underlying crosstalk mechanisms, not yet considered in these treatments, may hinder outcomes or unlock novel treatments. This review focuses systematically on erythropoietin, a synthesizable molecule, as a mediator of brain-kidney crosstalk. Insights gained from this review will be applied to cardiovascular diseases in a clinician-directed fashion.

[Cardiorenal syndrome]

Patients in the intensive care unit often suffer from cardiorenal syndrome, which can have an important influence on the patient's outcome. The heart and kidney influence each other via organ crosstalk. We screened and evaluated current publications on cardiorenal syndromes and their therapy. A key role in the management of cardiorenal syndromes is renal decongestion via loop diuretics.