Clinical Impact of Worsening Renal Function in Elderly Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Korean Society of Heart Failure Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure: Management of the Underlying Etiologies and Comorbidities of Heart Failure

Most patients with heart failure (HF) have multiple comorbidities, which impact their quality of life, aggravate HF, and increase mortality. Cardiovascular comorbidities include systemic and pulmonary hypertension, ischemic and valvular heart diseases, and atrial fibrillation. Non-cardiovascular comorbidities include diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney and pulmonary diseases, iron deficiency and anemia, and sleep apnea. In patients with HF with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors combined with calcium channel blockers and/or diuretics is an effective treatment regimen. Measurement of pulmonary vascular resistance via right heart catheterization is recommended for patients with HF considered suitable for implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices or as heart transplantation candidates. Coronary angiography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and reperfusion in patients with HF and angina pectoris refractory to antianginal medications. In patients with HF and atrial fibrillation, long-term anticoagulants are recommended according to the CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Valvular heart diseases should be treated medically and/or surgically. In patients with HF and DM, metformin is relatively safer; thiazolidinediones cause fluid retention and should be avoided in patients with HF and dyspnea. In renal insufficiency, both volume status and cardiac performance are important for therapy guidance. In patients with HF and pulmonary disease, beta-blockers are underused, which may be related to increased mortality. In patients with HF and anemia, iron supplementation can help improve symptoms. In obstructive sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure therapy helps avoid severe nocturnal hypoxia. Appropriate management of comorbidities is important for improving clinical outcomes in patients with HF.

Korean Society of Heart Failure Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure: Management of the Underlying Etiologies and Comorbidities of Heart Failure

Most patients with heart failure (HF) have multiple comorbidities, which impact their quality of life, aggravate HF, and increase mortality. Cardiovascular comorbidities include systemic and pulmonary hypertension, ischemic and valvular heart diseases, and atrial fibrillation. Non-cardiovascular comorbidities include diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney and pulmonary diseases, iron deficiency and anemia, and sleep apnea. In patients with HF with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors combined with calcium channel blockers and/or diuretics is an effective treatment regimen. Measurement of pulmonary vascular resistance via right heart catheterization is recommended for patients with HF considered suitable for implantation of mechanical circulatory support devices or as heart transplantation candidates. Coronary angiography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and reperfusion in patients with HF and angina pectoris refractory to antianginal medications. In patients with HF and atrial fibrillation, long-term anticoagulants are recommended according to the CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Valvular heart diseases should be treated medically and/or surgically. In patients with HF and DM, metformin is relatively safer; thiazolidinediones cause fluid retention and should be avoided in patients with HF and dyspnea. In renal insufficiency, both volume status and cardiac performance are important for therapy guidance. In patients with HF and pulmonary disease, beta-blockers are underused, which may be related to increased mortality. In patients with HF and anemia, iron supplementation can help improve symptoms. In obstructive sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure therapy helps avoid severe nocturnal hypoxia. Appropriate management of comorbidities is important for improving clinical outcomes in patients with HF.

Perirenal Fat and Kidney Function Deterioration in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The thick perirenal fat pad can induce high intracapsular pressure and cause compression of the renal vasculature and resultant congestive nephropathy. The current study investigated the association of perirenal fat thickness with kidney dysfunction in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

METHODS

Data from 266 patients hospitalized with ADHF were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at admission (preserved kidney function [GFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m²] and reduced kidney function [GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m²] groups). Right and left posterior perirenal fat thicknesses were measured using computed tomography, and their average values were calculated. Associated factors with reduced kidney function was assessed by logistic regression model, presenting with odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Increasing age (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04-1.12; p<0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.18-5.12; p<0.017), increased log N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.32-2.52; p<0.001), and increased average perirenal fat thickness (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.06-1.16; p<0.001) were independently associated with reduced kidney function. In the subgroup analyses, patients over 70 years old, the ratio of mitral-to-mitral annular velocity >15, elevated log NT-proBNP had a significantly higher association with increased perirenal fat thickness with reduced kidney function.

CONCLUSIONS

Thick perirenal fat pads were independently associated with kidney function deterioration in patients hospitalized with ADHF.