Adherence to guidelines for creatinine and potassium monitoring and discontinuation following renin-angiotensin system blockade: a UK general practice-based cohort study

Impact of ACEIs and ARBs-related adverse drug reaction on patients' clinical outcomes: a cohort study in UK primary care

BACKGROUND

Adverse drug reaction (ADR) related to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may negatively affect patients' treatment outcomes.

AIM

To investigate the impact of ACEIs/ARBs-related ADR consultation on cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and all-cause mortality.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Propensity score-matched cohort study of ACEIs/ARBs between 2004 and 2019 using UK IQVIA medical research data.

METHOD

ADR consultations were identified using standardised designated codes. Propensity scores were calculated based on comorbidities, concomitant medications, frailty, and polypharmacy. Cox's proportional hazard regression model was used to compare the outcomes between patients in ADR and non-ADR groups. In the secondary analysis, treatment- pattern changes following the ADR were examined and the subsequent outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

Among 1 471 906 eligible users of ACEIs/ARBs, 13 652 (0.93%) patients had ACEIs/ARBs- related ADR consultation in primary care. Patients with ACEIs/ARBs-related ADR consultation had an increased risk of subsequent CVD events and all- cause mortality in both primary prevention (CVD events: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05 to 1.43; all-cause mortality: aHR 1.14, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.27) and secondary prevention cohorts (CVD events: aHR 1.13, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.21; all-cause mortality: aHR 1.15, 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.21). Half (50.19%) of patients with ADR continued to use ACEIs/ARBs, and these patients had a reduced risk of mortality (aHR 0.88, 95% CI = 0.82 to 0.95) compared with those who discontinued using ACEIs/ARBs.

CONCLUSION

This study provides information on the burden of ADR on patients and the health system. The findings call for additional monitoring and treatment strategies for patients affected by ADR to mitigate the risks of adverse clinical outcomes.

Evaluation of machine learning algorithms for renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors associated renal adverse event prediction

BACKGROUND

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) are commonly used medications. Renal adverse events associated with RAASi are hyperkalemia and acute kidney injury. We aimed to evaluate the performance of machine learning (ML) algorithms in order to define event associated features and predict RAASi associated renal adverse events.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data of patients recruited from five internal medicine and cardiology outpatient clinics were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical, laboratory, and medication data were acquired via electronic medical records. Dataset balancing and feature selection for machine learning algorithms were performed. Random forest (RF), k-nearest neighbor (kNN), naïve Bayes (NB), extreme gradient boosting (xGB), support vector machine (SVM), neural network (NN), and logistic regression (LR) were used to create a prediction model.

RESULTS

409 patients were included, and 50 renal adverse events occurred. The most important features predicting the renal adverse events were the index K and glucose levels, as well as having uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Thiazides reduced RAASi associated hyperkalemia. kNN, RF, xGB and NN algorithms have the highest and similar AUC (≥ 98%), recall (≥ 94%), specifity (≥ 97%), precision (≥ 92%), accuracy (≥ 96%) and F1 statistics (≥ 94%) performance metrics for prediction.

CONCLUSION

RAASi associated renal adverse events can be predicted prior to medication initiation by machine learning algorithms. Further prospective studies with large patient numbers are needed to create scoring systems as well as for their validation.

Risk of cardiometabolic outcomes among women with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease: a retrospective matched cohort study from the UK

INTRODUCTION

To describe the incidence and prevalence of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and to estimate the risk of cardiometabolic outcomes among women with PID compared to women without PID.

METHODS

A UK retrospective matched cohort study using data from The Health Improvement Network. To assess cardiometabolic risk, women (aged ≥ 16 years) with PID were compared to matched controls without PID. Annual prevalence and incidence of PID (1998-2017) were estimated among women aged 16-50 years using annual cross-sectional and cohort analyses, respectively. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% CI for cardiometabolic outcomes were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. The primary outcome was composite cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its subtypes, including ischaemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure (HF) and cerebrovascular disease. Secondary outcomes were hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

RESULTS

Among the 715 recorded composite CVD events, the crude incidence rate per 1000 person-years was 1.5 among women with history of PID compared to 1.3 in matched controls. Compared to women without PID (N = 73,769), the aHRs for cardiometabolic outcomes among women with PID (N = 19,804) were: composite CVD 1.10 (95% CI 0.93-1.30); IHD 1.19 (95% CI 0.93-1.53); cerebrovascular disease 1.13 (95% CI 0.90-1.43); HF 0.92 (95% CI 0.62-1.35) hypertension 1.10 (95% CI 1.01-1.20); and T2DM 1.25 (95% CI 1.09-1.43). The prevalence (per 10,000 population) of PID was 396.5 in 1998 and 237 in 2017. The incidence (per 10,000 person-years) of PID was 32.4 in 1998 and 7.9 in 2017.

CONCLUSION

There was no excess risk of composite CVD or its subtypes among women with history of PID compared to matched controls. Findings from our study suggest that history of PID was associated with an increased risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, two major risk factors for CVD. Additional studies are required to support these findings.

Clinical outcomes following discontinuation of renin-angiotensin-system inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes and advanced chronic kidney disease: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Renin-angiotensin-system inhibitors (RASi), that include angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) reduce proteinuria, delay chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, protect against cardiovascular events and heart failure hospitalizations. We examined the associations of discontinuation of ACEi/ARBs with risk of clinical outcomes in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and advanced-CKD (estimated-glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <30 ml/min/1.73 m²).

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, population-based cohort study including 10,400 patients with T2D in Hong Kong stratified by continuation of ACEi/ARBs within 6 months after reaching eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m² from January 01, 2002 to December 31, 2018 and observed until December 31, 2019. The primary outcomes were death, major-adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), heart failure, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and all-cause mortality. Cox-model with time-dependent exposure and covariates was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) of outcomes in a propensity-score overlap-weighted cohort. The risk of occurrence of hyperkalemia (plasma potassium >5.5 mmol/L) in discontinued-ACEi/ARBs versus continued-ACEi/ARBs users was assessed in a register-based cohort.

FINDINGS

In the population-based cohort of 10,400 ACEi/ARBs users with new-onset eGFR<30 ml/min/1.73 m², 1766 (17.0%) discontinued ACEi/ARBs and 8634 (83.0%) persisted with treatment. During a median follow-up of 3.6 (interquartile range, IQR: 2.11-5.8) years (41,623 person-years), 13.5%, 12.9%, and 27.6% had incident MACE, heart failure and ESKD respectively, and 35.8% died. Discontinued-ACEi/ARBs use was associated with higher risk of MACE (HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.08-1.49), heart failure (HR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.53-2.25) and ESKD (HR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.17-1.43), and neutral risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.86-1.01) compared to counterparts with continued use. In the register-based cohort (583 discontinued-ACEi/ARBs users and 3817 continued-ACEi/ARBs users), discontinued-ACEi/ARBs had neutral risk of hyperkalemia (HR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.84-1.08).

INTERPRETATION

Discontinuation of ACEi/ARBs was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular-renal events supporting their continued use in patients with T2D and advanced-CKD.

FUNDING

CUHK Impact Research Fellowship Scheme.

Adverse Events After Initiating Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor/Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker Therapy in Individuals with Heart Failure and Multimorbidity

BACKGROUND

Current clinical practice guidelines recommend routine kidney function and serum potassium testing within 30 days of initiating angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) therapy. However, evidence is lacking on whether routine follow-up testing reduces therapy-related adverse events in adults with heart failure and if multimorbidity influences the association between laboratory testing and these adverse events.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study among adults with heart failure from 4 US integrated health care delivery systems. Multimorbidity was defined using counts of chronic conditions. Patients with outpatient serum creatinine and potassium tests in the 30 days after starting ACEI or ARB therapy were matched 1:1 to patients without follow-up tests. We evaluated the association of follow-up testing with 30-day all-cause mortality and hospitalization with acute kidney injury or hyperkalemia using Cox regression.

RESULTS

We identified 3629 matched adults with heart failure initiating ACEI or ARB therapy between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2012. Follow-up testing was not significantly associated with 30-day all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.14; 1.39) and hospitalization with hyperkalemia (aHR 0.73, 95% CI, 0.33; 1.61). However, follow-up testing was significantly associated with hospitalization with acute kidney injury (aHR, 1.40, 95% CI, 1.01; 1.94). Interaction between multimorbidity burden and follow-up testing was not statistically significant in any of the outcome models examined.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine laboratory monitoring after ACEI or ARB therapy initiation was not associated with risk of 30-day all-cause mortality or hospitalization with hyperkalemia across the spectrum of multimorbidity burden in a cohort of patients with heart failure.

Point-of-care and self-testing for potassium: recent advances

Potassium is an important bodily electrolyte which is kept within tight limits in health. Many medical conditions as well as commonly-used drugs either raise or lower blood potassium levels, which can be dangerous or even fatal. For at-risk patients, frequent monitoring of potassium can improve safety and lifestyle, but conventional venous blood draws are inconvenient, don't provide a timely result and may be inaccurate. This review summarises current solutions and recent developments in point-of-care and self-testing potassium measurement technologies, which include devices for measurement of potassium in venous blood, devices for home blood collection and remote measurement, devices for rapid home measurement of potassium, wearable sensors for potassium in interstitial fluid, in sweat, in urine, as well as non-invasive potassium detection. We discuss the practical and clinical applicability of these technologies and provide future outlooks.

Noninvasive Screening Tool for Hyperkalemia Using a Single-Lead Electrocardiogram and Deep Learning: Development and Usability Study

Background

Hyperkalemia monitoring is very important in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in emergency medicine. Currently, blood testing is regarded as the standard way to diagnose hyperkalemia (ie, using serum potassium levels). Therefore, an alternative and noninvasive method is required for real-time monitoring of hyperkalemia in the emergency medicine department.

Objective

This study aimed to propose a novel method for noninvasive screening of hyperkalemia using a single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) based on a deep learning model.

Methods

For this study, 2958 patients with hyperkalemia events from July 2009 to June 2019 were enrolled at 1 regional emergency center, of which 1790 were diagnosed with chronic renal failure before hyperkalemic events. Patients who did not have biochemical electrolyte tests corresponding to the original 12-lead ECG signal were excluded. We used data from 855 patients (555 patients with CKD, and 300 patients without CKD). The 12-lead ECG signal was collected at the time of the hyperkalemic event, prior to the event, and after the event for each patient. All 12-lead ECG signals were matched with an electrolyte test within 2 hours of each ECG to form a data set. We then analyzed the ECG signals with a duration of 2 seconds and a segment composed of 1400 samples. The data set was randomly divided into the training set, validation set, and test set according to the ratio of 6:2:2 percent. The proposed noninvasive screening tool used a deep learning model that can express the complex and cyclic rhythm of cardiac activity. The deep learning model consists of convolutional and pooling layers for noninvasive screening of the serum potassium level from an ECG signal. To extract an optimal single-lead ECG, we evaluated the performances of the proposed deep learning model for each lead including lead I, II, and V1-V6.

Results

The proposed noninvasive screening tool using a single-lead ECG shows high performances with F1 scores of 100%, 96%, and 95% for the training set, validation set, and test set, respectively. The lead II signal was shown to have the highest performance among the ECG leads.

Conclusions

We developed a novel method for noninvasive screening of hyperkalemia using a single-lead ECG signal, and it can be used as a helpful tool in emergency medicine.

Effects and Safety of Sacubitril/Valsartan for Patients with Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Patients who develop heart failure (HF) after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are at higher risk of adverse fatal and nonfatal outcomes. Studies have shown sacubitril/valsartan can further reduce the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure by 20% compared with enalapril. At the same time, its tolerance and safety are better. However, the current evidence regarding the efficacy of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with heart failure after acute myocardial infarction is controversial. To assess the effect of sacubitril/valsartan on heart failure after acute myocardial infarction, we conducted a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of existing randomized clinical trials. Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trails is used where data are collected from PubMed, the Cochrane library, Embase, and Web of Science. Data about sacubitril/valsartan were available from 5 studies. Forest plots showed that the sacubitril/valsartan group had a 299% higher value of sacubitril/valsartan to the control group (MD = 2.99%, 95% CI: 2.01, 3.96, I 2 = 78%, P < 0.00001, Figure 2), and the difference was statistically significant. Forest plots showed that the sacubitril/valsartan group had a 531% lower value of LVEF to the control group (MD = -5.31%, 95% CI: -7.36, -3.26, I 2 = 91%, P < 0.00001, Figure 2), and the difference was statistically significant. Forest plots showed that the sacubitril/valsartan group had a 133% lower value of NT-proBNP to the control group (MD = -1.33%, 95% CI: -1.54, -1.12, I 2 = 96%, P < 0.00001, Figure 3). Forest plots showed that the sacubitril/valsartan group had a 49% lower risk of heart failure to the control group (MD = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.89, I 2 = 0%, P=0.02, Figure 3). The patients in experimental showed an obviously lower OR of MACE (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.82, P=0.007, Figure 3). The data were statistically significant. We have observed that for patients with heart failure after acute myocardial infarction, early administration of sacubitril/valsartan can significantly reduce the incidence of heart rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, NT-proBNP, and MACE. Our meta-analysis suggests that taking sacubitril/valsartan is relatively safe and effective, especially if started early after acute myocardial infarction.

Stopping renin-angiotensin system inhibitors after hyperkalemia and risk of adverse outcomes

BACKGROUND

Stopping renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) after an episode of hyperkalemia is common but may involve therapeutic compromises, in that the cessation of RASi deprives patients of their beneficial cardiovascular effects.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Observational study from the Stockholm Creatinine Measurements (SCREAM) project including patients initiating RASi in routine care and surviving a first-detected episode of hyperkalemia (potassium >5.0 mmol/L). We used target trial emulation techniques based on cloning, censoring and weighting to compare stopping vs. continuing RASi within 6 months after hyperkalemia. Outcomes were 3-year risks of mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke hospitalization) and recurrent hyperkalemia. Of 5669 new users of RASi who developed hyperkalemia (median age 72 years, 44% women), 1425 (25%) stopped RASi therapy within 6 months. Compared with continuing RASi, stopping therapy was associated with a higher 3-year risk of death (absolute risk difference 10.8%; HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.34-1.64) and MACE (risk difference 4.7%; HR 1.29, 1.14-1.45), but a lower risk of recurrent hyperkalemia (risk difference -9.5%; HR 0.76, 0.69-0.84). Results were consistent for events following potassium of >5.0 or >5.5 mmol/L, after censoring when the treatment decision was changed, across prespecified subgroups, and after adjusting for albuminuria.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that stopping RASi after hyperkalemia may be associated with a lower risk of recurrence of hyperkalemia, but higher risk of death and cardiovascular events.

Prevalence of adverse drug reactions in the primary care setting: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a major cause of iatrogenic morbidity and mortality in patient care. While a substantial body of work has been undertaken to characterise ADRs in the hospital setting, the overall burden of ADRs in the primary care remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of ADRs in the primary care setting and factors affecting the heterogeneity of the estimates.

METHODS

Studies were identified through searching of Medline, Embase, CINAHL and IPA databases. We included observational studies that reported information on the prevalence of ADRs in patients receiving primary care. Disease and treatment specific studies were excluded. Quality of the included studies were assessed using Smyth ADRs adapted scale. A random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled estimate. Potential source of heterogeneity, including age groups, ADRs definitions, ADRs detection methods, study setting, quality of the studies, and sample size, were investigated using sub-group analysis and meta-regression.

RESULTS

Thirty-three studies with a total study population of 1,568,164 individuals were included. The pooled prevalence of ADRs in the primary care setting was 8.32% (95% CI, 7.82, 8.83). The percentage of preventable ADRs ranged from 12.35-37.96%, with the pooled estimate of 22.96% (95% CI, 7.82, 38.09). Cardiovascular system drugs were the most commonly implicated medication class. Methods of ADRs detection, age group, setting, and sample size contributed significantly to the heterogeneity of the estimates.

CONCLUSION

ADRs constitute a significant health problem in the primary care setting. Further research should focus on examining whether ADRs affect subsequent clinical outcomes, particularly in high-risk therapeutic areas. This information may better inform strategies to reduce the burden of ADRs in the primary care setting.

Sex- and Gender-Based Pharmacological Response to Drugs

In humans, the combination of all sex-specific genetic, epigenetic, and hormonal influences of biologic sex produces different in vivo environments for male and female cells. We dissect how these influences of sex modify the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of multiple drugs and provide examples for common drugs acting on specific organ systems. We also discuss how gender of physicians and patients may influence the therapeutic response to drugs. We aim to highlight sex as a genetic modifier of the pharmacological response to drugs, which should be considered as a necessary step toward precision medicine that will benefit men and women. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This study discusses the influences of biologic sex on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs and provides examples for common drugs acting on specific organ systems. This study also discusses how gender of physicians and patients influence the therapeutic response to drugs.

Monitoring of Adverse Drug Reaction-Related Parameters in Children and Adolescents Treated With Antipsychotic Drugs in Psychiatric Outpatient Clinics

Aim: To assess the frequency of monitoring of adverse drug reaction (ADR) related parameters in children and adolescents treated with antipsychotic drugs in psychiatric outpatient clinics and the considerations when monitoring was not performed. Methods: This retrospective follow-up study included 100 randomly selected outpatients aged ≤18 years who had a first prescription of an antipsychotic drug recorded in the electronic medical records of psychiatric outpatient clinics between 2014 and 2017. They were followed for up to 3 years. This study assessed the frequency of monitoring for physical parameters (weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference, pulse, blood pressure, and an electrocardiogram) and laboratory parameters (glucose, lipids, and prolactin) before the first prescription of an antipsychotic drug as well as during its use. Monitoring frequencies were stratified by the patient characteristics (sex, age, cardiovascular risk factors, and use of other psychotropic drugs), and by location of antipsychotic drug initiation (psychiatric outpatient clinic or elsewhere). Additionally, this study assessed the considerations mentioned in the medical records for not monitoring ADR-related parameters. Results: Overall, physical parameters were monitored more frequently (weight: 85.9% during the first half-year) than laboratory parameters (glucose and cholesterol: both 23.5%). There were no significant differences in monitoring at least one physical as well as in monitoring at least one laboratory parameter during the baseline period and during the total follow-up of antipsychotic drug treatment between the patient characteristics. In total, 3% of the children and adolescents were never monitored for any physical parameter, and 54% were never monitored for any laboratory parameter. For a minority of the children (14.8%) who were never monitored for laboratory parameters, considerations were recorded in their medical records, including refusal by the child or parents and monitoring performed by the general practitioner or elsewhere. Conclusion: Monitoring frequencies of ADR-related parameters in children and adolescents treated with antipsychotic drugs in psychiatric outpatient clinics varied and especially monitoring of laboratory parameters was infrequent. Considerations why monitoring was not performed were rarely recorded. The optimal method of monitoring and documentation thereof should become clear to optimize the benefit-risk balance of antipsychotic drug treatment for each child.

Therapeutic application of nutraceuticals in diabetic nephropathy: Current evidence and future implications

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic disease which may cause several complications, such as diabetic nephropathy (DN). The routine medical treatments used for DM are not effective enough and have many undesirable side effects. Moreover, the global increased prevalence of DM makes researchers try to explore potential complementary or alternative treatments. Nutraceuticals, as natural products with pharmaceutical agents, have a wide range of therapeutic properties in various pathologic conditions such as DN. However, the exact underlying mechanisms have not been fully understood. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent findings on the effect of nutraceuticals on DN.

Normal range of serum potassium, prevalence of dyskalaemia and associated factors in Chinese older adults: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the normal range of serum potassium, the prevalence of dyskalaemia and the associated factors in Chinese older adults.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study conducted from September 2017 to March 2018.

SETTING

Forty-eight community elderly care facilities in four regions in northern China.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1266 (308 apparently healthy and 958 unhealthy) participants 55 years or older and with fasting serum potassium measured.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AND METHODS

Serum potassium <3.5 mEq/L and >5.5 mEq/L (guidelines definition) and <2.5th and >97.5th percentiles of the distribution among healthy participants (our study definition) were both used to define hypokalaemia and hyperkalaemia, respectively. Multivariable generalised estimating equation models were used to adjust for clustering effect in the analyses of factors associated with risk of dyskalaemia and with variations in serum potassium.

RESULTS

The study participants had a mean age of 70 (8.8) years. Among apparently healthy participants, the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of serum potassium distribution were 3.7 mEq/L and 5.3 mEq/L, respectively. Using the study definition, the prevalence of hyperkalaemia was 4.3% (95% CI 3.2% to 5.4%) and of hypokalaemia was 4.0% (95% CI 2.9% to 5.1%). Multivariable analyses showed that risk of hyperkalaemia was associated with unhealthy conditions (OR=2.21; 95% CI 1.17 to 4.18); risk of hypokalaemia was associated with unhealthy conditions (OR=2.56; 95% CI 1.05 to 6.23), older age (OR=1.70 per 10-year increase; 95% CI 1.04 to 2.79) and region (OR=16.87; 95% CI 6.41 to 44.38); and higher serum potassium was associated with male gender (mean difference (MD)=0.12; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.19) and estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m² (MD=0.29; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.46). Using the guidelines definition, hyperkalaemia accounted for 2.7% (1.8%, 3.6%) and hypokalaemia 1.8% (1.1%, 2.5%). Analyses of the associated factors showed similar trends.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggested a narrower normal range of serum potassium for defining dyskalaemia, which was common in older Chinese and more prevalent in unhealthy ones.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03290716; Pre-results.

The current practice of using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers in diabetic hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients. Is there a room for vitamin D?

OBJECTIVES

To determine the current pattern of using angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in diabetic nephropathy (DN), and assess physician awareness of using vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of DN.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study implementing a validated questionnaire, which was distributed to physicians in the aforementioned specialties in 3 hospitals in Saudi Arabia (Almanee Hospital, King Saud Medical City [KSMC], and Riyadh Care Hospital [RCH]) between April 2019 and November 2019. We used IBM SPSS 26.0 to perform descriptive statistical analyses and comparisons were based on the Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Forty-one physicians (30%) reported the use of combination therapy of ACEi and ARBs. Fifty-six (41%) physicians reported that they never used vitamin D in the treatment of DN, and 48% agreed that vitamin D can benefit patients with DN. 52% of the respondents reported the existence of guidelines. The vast majority (94%) recommended clearer guidelines on monitoring renal function in patients treated with ACEi or ARBs.

CONCLUSION

There is a universal agreement among physicians regarding the use of ACEi and ARBs for the treatment of DN with limited awareness of the bene ts of using vitamin D. Hence, the development of specific guidelines for its use are recommended.

Kidney Function and Potassium Monitoring After Initiation of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Blockade Therapy and Outcomes in 2 North American Populations

BACKGROUND

Clinical practice guidelines recommend routine kidney function and serum potassium testing within 30 days of initiating ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker therapy. However, evidence is lacking about whether follow-up testing reduces therapy-related adverse outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We conducted 2 population-based retrospective cohort studies in Kaiser Permanente Northern California and Ontario, Canada. Patients with outpatient serum creatinine and potassium tests in the 30 days after starting ACE inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker therapy were matched 1:1 to patients without follow-up tests. We evaluated the association of follow-up testing with 30-day all-cause mortality and hospitalization with acute kidney injury or hyperkalemia using Cox regression. We also developed and externally validated a risk score to identify patients at risk of having abnormally high serum creatinine and potassium values in follow-up. We identified 75 251 matched pairs initiating ACE inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker therapy between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017, in Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Follow-up testing was not significantly associated with 30-day all-cause mortality in Kaiser Permanente Northern California (hazard ratio, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.54-1.06]) and was associated with higher mortality in 84 905 matched pairs in Ontario (hazard ratio, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.07-1.62]). In Kaiser Permanente Northern California, follow-up testing was significantly associated with higher rates of hospitalization with acute kidney injury (hazard ratio, 1.66 [95% CI, 1.10-2.22]) and hyperkalemia (hazard ratio, 3.36 [95% CI, 1.08-10.41]), as was observed in Ontario. The risk score for abnormal potassium provided good discrimination (area under the curve [AUC], 0.75) and excellent calibration of predicted risks, while the risk score for abnormal serum creatinine provided moderate discrimination (AUC, 0.62) but excellent calibration.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine laboratory monitoring after ACE inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker initiation was not associated with a lower risk of 30-day mortality. We identified patient subgroups in which targeted testing may be effective in identifying therapy-related changes in serum potassium or kidney function.

Hyperkalemia and management of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) are the cornerstone of treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). RAASi optimization in real-life care is challenged by hyperkalemia, a potentially fatal adverse event, which can necessitate downtitration or discontinuation of RAASi and negatively impact survival in HFrEF. The literature on this problem is sparse. We performed a systematic review of studies on HFrEF to investigate the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of hyperkalemia, RAASi prescription rates, frequency of RAASi downtitration or discontinuation due to hyperkalemia, and the potential negative effect of the latter on prognosis.

METHODS

We conducted a MEDLINE (PubMed) search including observational and interventional studies published between January 1987 and May 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 30 observational and 18 interventional studies were included in the review. The incidence of hyperkalemia reported was between 0% and 63% in observational studies and was between 0% and 30% in clinical trials. Risk factors for hyperkalemia included RAASi prescription, older age, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. In real-life studies, RAASi were downtitrated or discontinued in 3-22% of HFrEF patients; hyperkalemia was the reported cause in 5% of cases. No reports were found on the impact on prognosis of RAASi downtitration or discontinuation due to hyperkalemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperkalemia and RAASi downtitration or discontinuation are frequent, particularly in real-life HFrEF studies. Further research is needed to clarify the role of RAASi downtitration or discontinuation due to hyperkalemia and to assess its long-term prognostic impact in HFrEF patients.

Stopping renin-angiotensin system blockers after acute kidney injury and risk of adverse outcomes: parallel population-based cohort studies in English and Swedish routine care

BACKGROUND

The safety of restarting angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) after acute kidney injury (AKI) is unclear. There is concern that previous users do not restart ACEI/ARB despite ongoing indications. We sought to determine the risk of adverse events after an episode of AKI, comparing prior ACEI/ARB users who stop treatment to those who continue.

METHODS

We conducted two parallel cohort studies in English and Swedish primary and secondary care, 2006-2016. We used multivariable Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for hospital admission with heart failure (primary analysis), AKI, stroke, or death within 2 years after hospital discharge following a first AKI episode. We compared risks of admission between people who stopped ACEI/ARB treatment to those who were prescribed ACEI/ARB within 30 days of AKI discharge. We undertook sensitivity analyses, including propensity score-matched samples, to explore the robustness of our results.

RESULTS

In England, we included 7303 people with AKI hospitalisation following recent ACEI/ARB therapy for the primary analysis. Four thousand three (55%) were classified as stopping ACEI/ARB based on no prescription within 30 days of discharge. In Sweden, we included 1790 people, of whom 1235 (69%) stopped treatment. In England, no differences were seen in subsequent risk of heart failure (HR 1.10; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.93-1.30), AKI (HR 0.90; 95% CI 0.77-1.05), or stroke (HR 0.99; 95% CI 0.71-1.38), but there was an increased risk of death (HR 1.27; 95% CI 1.15-1.41) in those who stopped ACEI/ARB compared to those who continued. Results were similar in Sweden: no differences were seen in risk of heart failure (HR 0.91; 95% CI 0.73-1.13) or AKI (HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.54-1.21). However, no increased risk of death was seen (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.78-1.13) and stroke was less common in people who stopped ACEI/ARB (HR 0.56; 95% CI 0.34-0.93). Results were similar across all sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Previous ACEI/ARB users who continued treatment after an episode of AKI did not have an increased risk of heart failure or subsequent AKI compared to those who stopped the drugs.

Development and Validation of a Deep-Learning Model to Screen for Hyperkalemia From the Electrocardiogram

Importance

For patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), hyperkalemia is common, associated with fatal arrhythmias, and often asymptomatic, while guideline-directed monitoring of serum potassium is underused. A deep-learning model that enables noninvasive hyperkalemia screening from the electrocardiogram (ECG) may improve detection of this life-threatening condition.

Objective

To evaluate the performance of a deep-learning model in detection of hyperkalemia from the ECG in patients with CKD.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A deep convolutional neural network (DNN) was trained using 1 576 581 ECGs from 449 380 patients seen at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, from 1994 to 2017. The DNN was trained using 2 (leads I and II) or 4 (leads I, II, V3, and V5) ECG leads to detect serum potassium levels of 5.5 mEq/L or less (to convert to millimoles per liter, multiply by 1) and was validated using retrospective data from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, Florida, and Arizona. The validation included 61 965 patients with stage 3 or greater CKD. Each patient had a serum potassium count drawn within 4 hours after their ECG was recorded. Data were analyzed between April 12, 2018, and June 25, 2018.

Exposures

Use of a deep-learning model.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and sensitivity and specificity, with serum potassium level as the reference standard. The model was evaluated at 2 operating points, 1 for equal specificity and sensitivity and another for high (90%) sensitivity.

Results

Of the total 1 638 546 ECGs, 908 000 (55%) were from men. The prevalence of hyperkalemia in the 3 validation data sets ranged from 2.6% (n = 1282 of 50 099; Minnesota) to 4.8% (n = 287 of 6011; Florida). Using ECG leads I and II, the AUC of the deep-learning model was 0.883 (95% CI, 0.873-0.893) for Minnesota, 0.860 (95% CI, 0.837-0.883) for Florida, and 0.853 (95% CI, 0.830-0.877) for Arizona. Using a 90% sensitivity operating point, the sensitivity was 90.2% (95% CI, 88.4%-91.7%) and specificity was 63.2% (95% CI, 62.7%-63.6%) for Minnesota; the sensitivity was 91.3% (95% CI, 87.4%-94.3%) and specificity was 54.7% (95% CI, 53.4%-56.0%) for Florida; and the sensitivity was 88.9% (95% CI, 84.5%-92.4%) and specificity was 55.0% (95% CI, 53.7%-56.3%) for Arizona.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, using only 2 ECG leads, a deep-learning model detected hyperkalemia in patients with renal disease with an AUC of 0.853 to 0.883. The application of artificial intelligence to the ECG may enable screening for hyperkalemia. Prospective studies are warranted.

Monitoring the use of dabigatran etexilate for stroke prevention: compliance with renal function guidelines

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTIONDabigatran etexilate has become widely used in New Zealand, but information relating to when renal function monitoring is being undertaken is lacking. AIMTo investigate if clinically appropriate renal function monitoring is being undertaken in New Zealand primary care for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients prescribed dabigatran etexilate. METHODSNew Zealand non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients’ prescription and primary care health data were extracted from national administrative databases for the period 1 July 2011 to 31 December 2015. The proportion of patients who had serum creatinine measurements at close proximity to treatment initiation and 12-months post initiation were assessed with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and compared with Fisher’s exact test. Log-rank tests for univariate analysis (gender, age, ethnicity and deprivation) effects on serum creatinine testing at dabigatran etexilate treatment initiation and 12-months post initiation were performed. RESULTSOverall, 1,948 patients who had been dispensed dabigatran etexilate with available primary care health data were identified. A total of 1,752 (89.9% [CI: 88.5–91.2]) patients had a renal function test at dabigatran etexilate initiation. There were 929 (72.8% [CI: 70.2–75.2]) patients who received ≥1 year supply of dabigatran etexilate and of these 207 (22.3% [CI: 19.6.6–25.1]) had a serum creatinine test 1 year after initiation. Demographic univariate analysis yielded insignificant log-rank tests for association with having serum creatinine measurements, except for Pacific Peoples. DISCUSSIONThere appears to be sub-optimal adherence to renal function monitoring for non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients who receive more than 12-months’ treatment with dabigatran etexilate in New Zealand primary care.

Real-World Associations of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Inhibitor Dose, Hyperkalemia, and Adverse Clinical Outcomes in a Cohort of Patients With New-Onset Chronic Kidney Disease or Heart Failure in the United Kingdom

Background

Dosing of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) may be modified to manage associated hyperkalemia risk; however, this approach could adversely affect cardiorenal outcomes. This study investigated real‐world associations of RAASi dose, hyperkalemia, and adverse clinical outcomes in a large cohort of UK cardiorenal patients.

Methods and Results

This observational study included RAASi‐prescribed patients with new‐onset chronic kidney disease (n=100 572) or heart failure (n=13 113) first recorded between January 2006 and December 2015 in Clinical Practice Research Datalink and linked Hospital Episode Statistics databases. Odds ratios associating hyperkalemia and RAASi dose modification were estimated using logistic generalized estimating equations with normal (<5.0 mmol/L) serum potassium level as the reference category. Patients with serum potassium ≥5.0 mmol/L had higher risk of RAASi down‐titration (adjusted odds ratios, chronic kidney disease: 1.79 [95% CI, 1.64–1.96]; heart failure: 1.33 [95% CI, 1.08–1.62]). Poisson models were used to estimate adjusted incident rate ratios of adverse outcomes based on total RAASi exposure (<50% and ≥50% of the guideline‐recommended RAASi dose). Incidence of major adverse cardiac events and mortality was consistently higher in the lower dose group (adjusted incident rate ratios: chronic kidney disease: 5.60 [95% CI, 5.29–5.93] for mortality and 1.60 [95% CI, 1.55–1.66] for nonfatal major adverse cardiac events; heart failure: 7.34 [95% CI, 6.35–8.48] for mortality and 1.85 [95% CI, 1.71–1.99] for major adverse cardiac events).

Conclusions

The results of this real‐world analysis highlight the potential negative impact of suboptimal RAASi dosing and the need for strategies that allow patients to be maintained on appropriate therapy, avoiding RAASi dose modification or discontinuation.

Association of Acute Increases in Plasma Creatinine after Renin-Angiotensin Blockade with Subsequent Outcomes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Data from observational and interventional studies provide discordant results regarding the relationship between creatinine increase after renin-angiotensin system inhibition (RASi) and adverse outcomes. We compared health outcomes among patients with different categories of increase in creatinine upon initiation of RASi in a large population-based cohort.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

We performed a retrospective analysis of the Stockholm CREAtinine Measurements database, which contains complete information on diagnoses, medication dispensation claims, and laboratory test results for all Stockholm citizens accessing health care. Included were 31,951 adults initiating RASi during 2007-2011 with available pre- and postinitiation creatinine monitoring. Multivariable Cox regression was used to compare mortality, cardiovascular and ESKD events among individuals with different ranges of creatinine increases within 2 months after starting treatment.

RESULTS

In a median follow-up of 3.5 years, acute increases in creatinine were associated with mortality (3202 events) in a graded manner: compared with creatinine increases <10%, a 10%-19% increase showed an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.15 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.05 to 1.27); HR 1.22 (95% CI, 1.07 to 1.40) for 20%-29%; HR 1.55 (95% CI, 1.36 to 1.77) for ≥30%. Similar graded associations were present for heart failure (2275 events, P<0.001) and ESKD (52 events; P<0.001), and, less consistently, myocardial infarction (842 events, P=0.25). Results were robust across subgroups, among continuing users, when patients with decreases in creatinine were excluded from the reference group, and after accounting for death as a competing risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Among real-world monitored adults, increases in creatinine (>10%) after initiation of RASi are associated with worse health outcomes. These results do not address the issue of discontinuation of RASi when plasma creatinine increases but do suggest that patients with increases in creatinine have higher subsequent risk of cardiovascular and kidney outcomes.

Modern creatinine (Bio)sensing: Challenges of point-of-care platforms

The importance of knowing creatinine levels in the human body is related to the possible association with renal, muscular and thyroid dysfunction. Thus, the accurate detection of creatinine may indirectly provide information surrounding those functional processes, therefore contributing to the management of the health status of the individual and early diagnosis of acute diseases. The questions at this point are: to what extent is creatinine information clinically relevant?; and do modern creatinine (bio)sensing strategies fulfil the real needs of healthcare applications? The present review addresses these questions by means of a deep analysis of the creatinine sensors reported in the literature over the last five years. There is a wide range of techniques for detecting creatinine, most of them based on optical readouts (20 of the 33 papers collected in this review). However, the use of electrochemical techniques (13 of the 33 papers) is recently emerging in alignment with the search for a definitive and trustworthy creatinine detection at the point-of-care level. In this sense, biosensors (7 of the 33 papers) are being established as the most promising alternative over the years. While creatinine levels in the blood seem to provide better information about patient status, none of the reported sensors display adequate selectivity in such a complex matrix. In contrast, the analysis of other types of biological samples (e.g., saliva and urine) seems to be more viable in terms of simplicity, cross-selectivity and (bio)fouling, besides the fact that its extraction does not disturb individual's well-being. Consequently, simple tests may likely be used for the initial check of the individual in routine analysis, and then, more accurate blood detection of creatinine could be necessary to provide a more genuine diagnosis and/or support the corresponding decision-making by the physician. Herein, we provide a critical discussion of the advantages of current methods of (bio)sensing of creatinine, as well as an overview of the drawbacks that impede their definitive point-of-care establishment.

Dyskalemias and adverse events associated with discharge potassium in acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The incidence of dyskalemias and associated outcomes in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are unknown in real-world settings and likely differ from the controlled environment of randomized controlled trials.

METHODS

We examined consecutive survivors of an AMI during 2006-2011 in SWEDEHEART registry and with plasma potassium at discharge (exposure). Study outcomes were 1-year risk of hyperkalemia (potassium >5.0 mmol/L), hypokalemia (potassium <3.5 mmol/L), and others (1-year risk of death, new myocardial infarction, heart failure, and de novo atrial fibrillation). Covariates included demographics, comorbidities, hospital procedures, and medications.

RESULTS

We included 4,861 patients (65% male, age 71.4 ± 12.6 years) with mean discharge potassium of 4.0 ± 0.4 mmol/L. Within 1 year, 784 (16.1%) new hyperkalemic and 991 (20.4%) new hypokalemic events occurred. Discharge potassium and kidney dysfunction were independent predictors of their occurrence. Compared with discharge potassium of 4.0 to <4.5 mmol/L, the adjusted risk of incident hyperkalemia was 1.71 (95% confidence interval 1.41-2.06) for potassium of 4.5-5.0 mmol/L and 2.38 (1.69-3.35) for potassium of >5.0 mmol/L; the adjusted risk of incident hypokalemia was 1.43 for potassium of 3.5 to <4.0 mmol/L (1.23-1.66) and 3.12 (2.58-3.77) for potassium of <3.5 mmol/L. A U-shaped association was observed between discharge potassium and the risk of death (n = 718), with increased hazards for potassium <3.5 and >4.5 mmol/L. No association was found between discharge potassium and the risk of new myocardial infarction, heart failure, or de novo atrial fibrillation.

CONCLUSIONS

Among real-world AMI survivors, both hyperkalemia and hypokalemia are frequent. Discharge potassium and kidney function strongly predicted their occurrence, as well as the 1-year risk of death.

Predicting timing of clinical outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease and severely decreased glomerular filtration rate

Patients with chronic kidney disease and severely decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are at high risk for kidney failure, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death. Accurate estimates of risk and timing of these clinical outcomes could guide patient counseling and therapy. Therefore, we developed models using data of 264,296 individuals in 30 countries participating in the international Chronic Kidney Disease Prognosis Consortium with estimated GFR (eGFR)s under 30 ml/min/1.73m2. Median participant eGFR and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio were 24 ml/min/1.73m2 and 168 mg/g, respectively. Using competing-risk regression, random-effect meta-analysis, and Markov processes with Monte Carlo simulations, we developed two- and four-year models of the probability and timing of kidney failure requiring kidney replacement therapy (KRT), a non-fatal CVD event, and death according to age, sex, race, eGFR, albumin-to-creatinine ratio, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, and history of CVD. Hypothetically applied to a 60-year-old white male with a history of CVD, a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg, an eGFR of 25 ml/min/1.73m2 and a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio of 1000 mg/g, the four-year model predicted a 17% chance of survival after KRT, a 17% chance of survival after a CVD event, a 4% chance of survival after both, and a 28% chance of death (9% as a first event, and 19% after another CVD event or KRT). Risk predictions for KRT showed good overall agreement with the published kidney failure risk equation, and both models were well calibrated with observed risk. Thus, commonly-measured clinical characteristics can predict the timing and occurrence of clinical outcomes in patients with severely decreased GFR.

The tolerability and safety profile of patiromer: a novel polymer-based potassium binder for the treatment of hyperkalemia

INTRODUCTION

Hyperkalemia (HK) occurs often among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure (HF) and those treated with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASI). Even small deviations from normal potassium levels carry increased risk of mortality. Patiromer is approved for treatment of HK and has been shown in clinical trials to reduce serum potassium among patients with HK and comorbid conditions. Areas covered: We review pooled data from two clinical trials of patiromer in patients with CKD and HK, safety of patiromer in special populations, drug-drug interaction (DDI) studies, and other studies in healthy volunteers. Expert opinion: Potassium must be maintained within a narrow range to avoid increased risk of mortality. Patients with CKD and HF and those receiving RAASI require careful monitoring of potassium levels. Patiromer effectively reduces serum potassium, and gastrointestinal adverse events (AEs) are the most common patiromer-associated AEs. Effective management of HK with patiromer may allow use of RAASI at optimal doses as recommended by treatment guidelines. Future research should examine the potential for potassium binders, including patiromer, to extend use of RAASI in appropriate patient populations.

Biochemical monitoring after initiation of aldosterone antagonist therapy in users of renin-angiotensin system blockers: a UK primary care cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of biochemical monitoring after initiation of aldosterone antagonists(AA) in patients also using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB).

SETTING

UK primary care.

PARTICIPANTS

ACEI/ARB users who initiated AA between 2004 and 2014.

OUTCOMES

We calculated the proportions with: (1) biochemical monitoring ≤2 weeks post initiation of AA, (2) adverse biochemical values ≤2 months (potassium ≥6 mmol/L, creatinine ≥220 µmol/L and ≥30% increase in creatinine from baseline) and (3) discontinuers of AA in those with an adverse biochemical value. We used logistic regression to study patient characteristics associated with monitoring and adverse biochemical values.

RESULTS

In 10 546 initiators of AA, 3291 (31.2%) had a record of biochemical monitoring ≤2 weeks post initiation. A total of 2.0% and 2.7% of those with follow-up monitoring within 2 months of initiation experienced potassium ≥6 mmol/L and creatinine ≥220 µmol/L, respectively, whereas 13.5% had a ≥30% increase in creatinine. Baseline potassium (OR 3.59, 95% CI 2.43 to 5.32 for 5.0-5.5 mmol/L compared with <5.0 mmol/L) and estimated glomerular filtration rate 45-59 ml/min/1.73 m² (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.26 to 3.35 compared with ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m²) were independently predictive of potassium ≥6 mmol/L. Women and people with diabetes had higher odds of ≥30% increase in creatinine.

CONCLUSION

Less than one-third of patients taking ACEI/ARB had biochemical monitoring within 2 weeks of initiating AAs. Higher levels of monitoring may reduce adverse biochemical events.

Serum creatinine elevation after renin-angiotensin system blockade and long term cardiorenal risks: cohort study

Objective To examine long term cardiorenal outcomes associated with increased concentrations of creatinine after the start of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker treatment.Design Population based cohort study using electronic health records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Hospital Episode Statistics.Setting UK primary care, 1997-2014.Participants Patients starting treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (n=122 363).Main outcome measures Poisson regression was used to compare rates of end stage renal disease, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and death among patients with creatinine increases of 30% or more after starting treatment against those without such increases, and for each 10% increase in creatinine. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, calendar period, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, cardiovascular comorbidities, and use of other antihypertensive drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Results Among the 2078 (1.7%) patients with creatinine increases of 30% or more, a higher proportion were female, were elderly, had cardiorenal comorbidity, and used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, loop diuretics, or potassium sparing diuretics. Creatinine increases of 30% or more were associated with an increased adjusted incidence rate ratio for all outcomes, compared with increases of less than 30%: 3.43 (95% confidence interval 2.40 to 4.91) for end stage renal disease, 1.46 (1.16 to 1.84) for myocardial infarction, 1.37 (1.14 to 1.65) for heart failure, and 1.84 (1.65 to 2.05) for death. The detailed categorisation of increases in creatinine concentrations (<10%, 10-19%, 20-29%, 30-39%, and ≥40%) showed a graduated relation for all outcomes (all P values for trends <0.001). Notably, creatinine increases of less than 30% were also associated with increased incidence rate ratios for all outcomes, including death (1.15 (1.09 to 1.22) for increases of 10-19% and 1.35 (1.23 to 1.49) for increases of 20-29%, using <10% as reference). Results were consistent across calendar periods, across subgroups of patients, and among continuing users.Conclusions Increases in creatinine after the start of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker treatment were associated with adverse cardiorenal outcomes in a graduated relation, even below the guideline recommended threshold of a 30% increase for stopping treatment.