The Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System in Obesity and Hypertension: Roles in the Cardiorenal Metabolic Syndrome

In the United States, more than 50 million people have blood pressure at or above 120/80 mm Hg. All components of cardiorenal metabolic syndrome (CRS) are linked to metabolic abnormalities and obesity. A major driver for CRS is obesity. Current estimates show that many of those with hypertension and CRS show some degree of systemic and cardiovascular insulin resistance. Several pathophysiologic factors participate in the link between hypertension and CRS. This article updates recent literature with a focus on the function of insulin resistance, obesity, and renin angiotensin aldosterone system-mediated oxidative stress on endothelial dysfunction and the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches to Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is one of the leading admission diagnoses worldwide, yet it is an entity with incompletely understood pathophysiology and limited therapeutic options. Patients admitted for ADHF have high in-hospital morbidity and mortality, as well as frequent rehospitalizations and subsequent cardiovascular death. This devastating clinical course is partly due to suboptimal medical management of ADHF with persistent congestion upon hospital discharge and inadequate predischarge initiation of life-saving guideline-directed therapies. While new drugs for the treatment of chronic HF continue to be approved, there has been no new therapy approved for ADHF in decades. This review will focus on the current limited understanding of ADHF pathophysiology, possible therapeutic targets, and current limitations in expanding available therapies in light of the unmet need among these high-risk patients.

Urinary Biomarkers at the Time of AKI Diagnosis as Predictors of Progression of AKI among Patients with Acute Cardiorenal Syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

A major challenge in early treatment of acute cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is the lack of predictors for progression of AKI. We aim to investigate the utility of urinary angiotensinogen and other renal injury biomarkers in predicting AKI progression in CRS.

DESIGN, SETTINGS, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

In this prospective, multicenter study, we screened 732 adults who admitted for acute decompensated heart failure from September 2011 to December 2014, and evaluated whether renal injury biomarkers measured at time of AKI diagnosis can predict worsening of AKI. In 213 patients who developed Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes stage 1 or 2 AKI, six renal injury biomarkers, including urinary angiotensinogen (uAGT), urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL), plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, urinary IL-18 (uIL-18), urinary kidney injury molecule-1, and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, were measured at time of AKI diagnosis. The primary outcome was AKI progression defined by worsening of AKI stage (50 patients). The secondary outcome was AKI progression with subsequent death (18 patients).

RESULTS

After multivariable adjustment, the highest tertile of three urinary biomarkers remained associated with AKI progression compared with the lowest tertile: uAGT (odds ratio [OR], 10.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 3.4 to 34.7), uNGAL (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.7 to 13.4), and uIL-18 (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.4 to 9.5). uAGT was the best predictor for both primary and secondary outcomes with area under the receiver operating curve of 0.78 and 0.85. These three biomarkers improved risk reclassification compared with the clinical model alone, with uAGT performing the best (category-free net reclassification improvement for primary and secondary outcomes of 0.76 [95% CI, 0.46 to 1.06] and 0.93 [95% CI, 0.50 to 1.36]; P<0.001). Excellent performance of uAGT was further confirmed with bootstrap internal validation.

CONCLUSIONS

uAGT, uNGAL, and uIL-18 measured at time of AKI diagnosis improved risk stratification and identified CRS patients at highest risk of adverse outcomes.

Cardiorenal Syndrome and the Role of the Bone-Mineral Axis and Anemia

The association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well established, and there is mounting evidence of interorgan cross talk that may accelerate pathologic processes and the progression of organ dysfunction in both systems. This process, termed cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) by the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative, is considered a major health problem: patients with CKD and CVD are at much higher risk of mortality than patients with either condition alone. To date, the majority of CRS research has focused on neurohormonal mechanisms and hemodynamic alterations. However, mounting evidence suggests that abnormalities in the normal pathophysiology of the bone-mineral axis, iron, and erythropoietin play a role in accelerating CKD and CVD. The goal of this article is to review the role and interrelated effects of the bone-mineral axis and anemia in the pathogenesis of chronic CRS.

Impact of Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Comorbidities on Cardiovascular Outcomes and Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the incremental contribution of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to the risk of major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (MACE), heart failure (HF), and all-cause mortality (ACM) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and its importance relative to the presence of other cardio-renal-metabolic (CaReMe) comorbidities.

METHODS

Patients (≥40 years) were identified at the time of T2DM diagnosis from US (Humedica/Optum) and UK (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) databases. Patients were monitored post-diagnosis for modified MACE (myocardial infarction, stroke, ACM), HF, and ACM. Adjusted hazard ratios were obtained using Cox proportional-hazards regression to evaluate the relative risk of modified MACE, HF, and ACM due to CKD. Patients were stratified by the presence or absence of atherosclerotic CV disease (ASCVD) and age.

RESULTS

Between 2011 and 2015, of 227,224 patients identified with incident T2DM, 40,063 (17.64%) had CKD. Regardless of prior ASCVD, CKD was associated with higher risk of modified MACE, HF, and ACM; this excess hazard was more pronounced in older patients with prior ASCVD. In time-to-event analyses in the overall cohort, patients with T2DM + CKD or T2DM + CKD + hypertension + hyperlipidemia had increased risks for modified MACE, HF, and ACM versus patients with T2DM and no CaReMe comorbidities. Patients with CKD had higher risks for and shorter times to modified MACE, HF, and ACM than those without CKD.

CONCLUSION

In T2DM patients, CKD presence was associated with higher risk of modified MACE, HF, and ACM. This may have risk-stratification implications for T2DM patients based on background CKD and highlights the potential importance of novel renoprotective strategies.

Cardiorenal anemia syndrome as a prognosticator for death in heart failure

Anemia and chronic kidney disease are common in patients with heart failure (HF) and are associated with adverse outcomes. We analyzed the effect of cardiorenal anemia (CRA) syndrome, defined as anemia (hemoglobin <130 g/L for men, <120 g/L for women) and stage 3 or greater chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)), in outpatients with HF. Consecutive patients with HF were prospectively enrolled from 2000 to 2005 (n = 748). The baseline clinical characteristics, pathology test results, and medication use were compared between those with and without CRA syndrome. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. The mean follow-up was 2.5 ± 1.6 years, with a left ventricular ejection fraction <45% present in 70% of patients. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, β blockers, and spironolactone were used in 87%, 67%, and 37%, respectively. CRA syndrome was present in 224 patients (30%). These patients had greater all-cause mortality (51% vs 26%, p <0.001), older age (mean 77 ± 8 vs 67 ± 14 years, p <0.001), and greater rates of diabetes mellitus (35% vs 23%, p <0.001) and ischemic heart disease (50% vs 35%, p <0.001). The independent predictors of mortality were CRA syndrome (hazard ratio 2.0, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 2.8, p <0.001), left ventricular systolic dysfunction per grade (hazard ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.3 to 1.8, p <0.001), the absence of a β blocker (hazard ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 2.2, p = 0.005), New York Heart Association class per class (hazard ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 1.9, p <0.01), and age per decade (hazard ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 2.0, p <0.001). In conclusion, CRA syndrome was common in patients with HF and was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality. Consideration should be given to identifying CRA syndrome and modifying reversible factors.

Diabetic kidney disease and the cardiorenal syndrome: old disease, new perspectives

In this article, the literature is reviewed regarding the role of blood pressure variability and nocturnal nondipping of blood pressure as well as the presence of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), in the absence of albuminuria, as risk predictors for progressive DKD. The importance of glycemic and blood pressure control in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease, and the use of oral hypoglycemic agents and antihypertensive agents in this patient cohort, are also discussed.

Clinical profile and outcomes of acute cardiorenal syndrome type-5 in sepsis: An eight-year cohort study

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of acute cardiorenal syndrome type-5 in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.

METHODS

Historical cohort study of all adult patients with severe sepsis and septic shock admitted to the intensive care units (ICU) at Mayo Clinic Rochester from January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2014. Patients with prior renal or cardiac dysfunction were excluded. Patients were divided into groups with and without cardiorenal syndrome type-5. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) was defined by both serum creatinine and urine output criteria of the AKI Network and the cardiac injury was determined by troponin-T levels. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay, and one-year survival.

RESULTS

Of 602 patients meeting the study inclusion criteria, 430 (71.4%) met criteria for acute cardiorenal syndrome type-5. Patients with cardiorenal syndrome type-5 had higher severity of illness, greater vasopressor and mechanical ventilation use. Cardiorenal syndrome type-5 was associated higher unadjusted in-hospital mortality, ICU and hospital lengths of stay, and lower one-year survival. When adjusted for age, gender, severity of illness and mechanical ventilation, cardiorenal syndrome type-5 was independently associated with 1.7-times greater odds of in-hospital mortality (p = .03), but did not predict one-year survival (p = .06) compared to patients without cardiorenal syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

In sepsis, acute cardiorenal syndrome type-5 is associated with worse in-hospital mortality compared to patients without cardiorenal syndrome.

Role of iron deficiency and anemia in cardio-renal syndromes

Chronic heart failure is a common disorder associated with unacceptably high mortality rates. Chronic renal disease and anemia are two important comorbidities that significantly influence morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Progress in CHF again may cause worsening of kidney function and anemia. To describe this vicious cycle, the term cardio-renal anemia syndrome has been suggested. Iron deficiency is part of the pathophysiology of anemia in both CHF and chronic kidney disease, which makes it an interesting target for treatment of anemia in cardio-renal anemia syndrome. Recently, studies have highlighted the potential clinical benefits of treating iron deficiency in patients with CHF, even if these patients are nonanemic. This article summarizes studies investigating the influence of iron deficiency with or without anemia in chronic kidney disease and CHF and gives an overview of preparations of intravenous iron currently available.

Preeclampsia as a Form of Type 5 Cardiorenal Syndrome: An Underrecognized Entity in Women's Cardiovascular Health

BACKGROUND

Preeclampsia is a multisystem vascular disorder of pregnancy that remains a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia remains an underrecognized risk factor for future cardiovascular and kidney disease in women and represents the confluence of preexisting vascular risk factors with superimposed endothelial injury from placental mediated anti-angiogenic factors.

SUMMARY

This review highlights the close relationship between preeclampsia and future cardiovascular and kidney disease. It describes the pathophysiology and current understanding of biomarkers that form the molecular signature for long-term endothelial dysfunction in preeclamptic women. Finally, it describes strategies for early identification and management of women with preeclampsia with elevated risk for cardiovascular and kidney disease. Key Messages: Future rigorous studies on cardiovascular risk modification in this phenotype of disease are essential to reduce the burden of cardiovascular and kidney disease, in women with preeclampsia.

Determinants of serum high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin levels in patients with coronary artery disease: associations with cardio-renal-anemia syndrome

OBJECTIVE

A low serum adiponectin level is associated with a high incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in the healthy population. Paradoxically, serum adiponectin is elevated in patients with severe CAD or chronic heart failure. We investigated the determinants of serum high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin in patients with CAD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We studied 228 consecutive patients with CAD confirmed by angiography. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin of <13.0 g/dL in men and<12.0 g/dL in women. A high plasma B-type natriuretic-peptide (BNP) was defined as >100 pg/mL. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min for more than 3 months. The patients with CAD were divided into eight groups according to the presence or absence of anemia, high BNP, and/or CKD.

RESULTS

In all 228 patients with CAD, serum HMW adiponectin correlated positively with age, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and BNP, while this parameter showed negative correlations with body mass index, insulin resistance, triglycerides, eGFR, and hemoglobin. Multivariate analysis showed that HDL-C, BNP, gender, and age were independently associated with the HMW adiponectin. Serum HMW adiponectin was lower in CAD patients with than without metabolic syndrome. Serum HMW adiponectin and the HMW/total adiponectin ratio were highest in CAD patients who had anemia, high BNP, and CKD among the groups.

CONCLUSION

In patients with CAD, metabolic syndrome is associated with a lower serum HMW adiponectin, while the presence of anemia, high BNP, and CKD is associated with elevation of the serum HMW adiponectin.

Incidence, Mortality and Positive Predictive Value of Type 1 Cardiorenal Syndrome in Acute Coronary Syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether the risk of cardiovascular mortality associated with cardiorenal syndrome subtype 1 (CRS1) in patients who were hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) was greater than the expected risk based on the sum of its components, to estimate the predictive value of CRS1, and to determine whether the severity of CRS1 worsens the prognosis.

METHODS

Follow-up study of 1912 incident cases of ACS for 1 year after discharge. Cox regression models were estimated with time to event (in-hospital death, and readmission or death during the first year after discharge) as the dependent variable.

RESULTS

The incidence of CRS1 was 9.2/1000 person-days of hospitalization (95% CI = 8.1-10.5), but these patients accounted for 56.6% (95% CI = 47.4-65.) of all mortality. The positive predictive value of CRS1 was 29.6% (95% CI = 23.9-36.0) for in-hospital death, and 51.4% (95% CI = 44.8-58.0) for readmission or death after discharge. The risk of in-hospital death from CRS1 (RR = 18.3; 95% CI = 6.3-53.2) was greater than the sum of risks associated with either acute heart failure (RR = 7.6; 95% CI = 1.8-31.8) or acute kidney injury (RR = 2.8; 95% CI = 0.9-8.8). The risk of events associated with CRS1 also increased with syndrome severity, reaching a RR of 10.6 (95% CI = 6.2-18.1) for in-hospital death at the highest severity level.

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of CRS1 on in-hospital mortality is greater than the sum of the effects associated with each of its components, and it increases with the severity of the syndrome. CRS1 accounted for more than half of all mortality, and its positive predictive value approached 30% in-hospital and 50% after discharge.

Management of cardiorenal metabolic syndrome in diabetes mellitus: a phytotherapeutic perspective

Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a complex disease in which the heart and kidney are simultaneously affected and their deleterious declining functions are reinforced in a feedback cycle, with an accelerated progression. Although the coexistence of kidney and heart failure in the same individual carries an extremely bad prognosis, the exact cause of deterioration and the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the initiation and maintenance of the interaction are complex, multifactorial in nature, and poorly understood. Current therapy includes diuretics, natriuretic hormones, aquaretics (arginine vasopressin antagonists), vasodilators, and inotropes. However, large numbers of patients still develop intractable disease. Moreover, the development of resistance to many standard therapies, such as diuretics and inotropes, has led to an increasing movement toward utilization and development of novel therapies. Herbal and traditional natural medicines may complement or provide an alternative to prevent or delay the progression of CRS. This review provides an analysis of the possible mechanisms and the therapeutic potential of phytotherapeutic medicines for the amelioration of the progression of CRS.

Cardiorenal syndrome type 5: in vitro cytotoxicity effects on renal tubular cells and inflammatory profile

Background. Cardiorenal Syndrome Type 5 (CRS Type 5) reflects concomitant cardiac and renal dysfunctions in the setting of a wide spectrum of systemic disorders. Our aim was to study in vitro effects of CRS Type 5 plasma on renal tubular cells (RTCs), in terms of cellular death and the characterization of inflammatory plasma profile in these patients. Material and Methods. We enrolled 11 CRS Type 5 patients from ICU and 16 healthy controls. Plasma from patients and controls was incubated with renal tubular cells (RTCs) and cell death was evaluated. Plasma cytokines were detected. Results. RTCs incubated with CRS Type 5 plasma showed significantly higher apoptosis and necrosis with respect to controls. Plasma cytokine profile of CRS Type 5 patients was significantly different from controls: we observed the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators in these patients. Caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 were activated in cells treated with CRS Type 5 plasma compared to controls. Conclusions. Our results underline the cytotoxic effect of CRS Type 5 mediators on RTC viability, probably due to the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis and to the deregulation of cytokine release. The consequence may be the damage of distant organs which lead to the worsening of condition of patients.

Role of GILZ in the Kidney and the Cardiovascular System: Relevance to Cardiorenal Complications of COVID-19

Glucocorticoids are extensively used for a variety of conditions, including those associated with dysregulation of immune and inflammatory responses as primary etiopathogenic factors. Indeed, the proinflammatory cytokine storm of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the latest condition for which the use of a glucocorticoid has been advocated. Recognition of serious adverse effects of glucocorticoids has led to research aimed at unraveling molecular basis by which they impact immune and inflammatory events with the ultimate objective of devising novel therapies to circumvent glucocorticoids-related adverse outcomes. Consequently, glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) protein was discovered and is increasingly recognized as the pivotal regulator of the effects of glucocorticoids on immune and inflammatory responses. Importantly, the advent of GILZ-based options raises the prospect of their eventual therapeutic use for a variety of conditions accompanied with dysregulation of immune and inflammatory responses and associated target organ complications. Thus, the objective of this minireview is to describe our current understanding of the role of GILZ in the cardiovascular system and the kidney along with outcome of GILZ-based interventions on associated disorders. This information is also of relevance for emerging complications of COVID-19. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ) was initially discovered as the pivotal mediator of immune regulatory/suppressive effects of glucocorticoids. Since the use of glucocorticoids is associated with serious adverse effects, GILZ-based formulations could offer therapeutic advantages. Thus, this minireview will describe our current understanding of the role of GILZ in the kidney and the cardiovascular system, which is of relevance and significance for pathologies affecting them, including the multiorgan complications of coronavirus disease 2019.

Cardiorenal Syndrome Triggered by Slowly Progressive Drugs Toxicity-Induced Renal Failure along with Minimal Mitral Disease: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

We report the case of a 93-year-old patient with normal left ventricular function and severe mitral annulus calcification, with mild mitral steno-insufficiency.

CASE PRESENTATION

She had developed creeping drugs-induced renal toxicity that is generally totally overlooked, due mainly to statins, a proton pump inhibitor, and aspirin. The Na and fluid retention, along with hypertension that ensued, although not severe, caused acute heart failure (sub-pulmonary edema) by worsening the mitral insufficiency. This occurred due to a less efficient calcific mitral annulus contraction during systole and an increasing mitral transvalvular gradient, as the transvalvular mitral gradient has an exponential relation to flow. After the suspension of the nephrotoxic drugs and starting intravenous furosemide, she rapidly improved. At 6 months follow-up, she is stable, in an NYHA 1-2 functional class, despite the only partial recovery of the renal function.

CONCLUSION

Progressive renal failure can functionally worsen even minimal mitral valvulopathy. Drug-induced nephrotoxicity can always be suspected in case of renal failure of unknown etiology. The suspension of the culprit drugs can improve renal function and dramatically improve the clinical symptoms even in a nonagenarian.

Hand-carried ultrasound use in clinical nephrology: Case report

BACKGROUND

Correctly assessing and managing volume status are critical elements of daily care for patients managed by nephrologists. However, intravascular volume is difficult to assess by physical examination alone.

METHODS

We present vignettes illustrating the potential for using hand-carried ultrasound (HCU) to improve volume assessment in common clinical scenarios faced by the renal consultant in the hospital setting. These include patients with acute kidney injury and patients treated with hemodialysis.

RESULTS

We used HCU to provide essential information about volume status which is otherwise not readily available. HCU allowed objective assessment of volume status, helping with clinical management of hospitalized patients and potentially avoiding harm.

CONCLUSION

HCU can complement physical examination for volume assessment in hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury or those on hemodialysis. Our report highlights the need for systematic research in this area.

Sacubitril-Valsartan Improves Anemia of Cardiorenal Syndrome (CRS)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Anemia is a common complication of heart failure and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Sacubitril-valsartan is a novel therapy for the treatment of chronic Heart Failure with a reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF). We have evaluated the short-term effects of sacubitril- valsartan on the anemia of CRS.

METHODS

The study group comprised 39 patients with HFrEF, who were followed-up for three months. The study is a retrospective analysis of clinical data. Data of 3 months' and baseline visits were recorded including plasmatic creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, cystatin C, kaliemia, haemoglobin, pro-BNP, and albuminuria.

RESULTS

In all, 34 patients ended the follow-up. Mean sacubitril-valsartan dosage at baseline was 101 ± 62 mg/day and 126 ± 59 mg/day at end. Mean hemoglobin increased from 12.2 ± 1.1 g/dl at baseline to 12.9 ± 1.0 g/dl (p = 0.001,). Prevalence of anemia was 64.7% (95%CI, 47.9-78.5%) at baseline and 38.4 (95%CI, 23.9-55.0%) after the follow-up (p = 0.016). Serum cystatin C levels decreased from 2.71 ± 1.0 to 2.48 ± 1.0 mg/l (p = 0.028). Serum K levels remained unchanged (baseline 4.94 ± 0.60, three months visit 4.94 ± 0.61 mmol/l, p = 0.998).

CONCLUSION

Sacubitril-valsartan improves anemia in CRS patients. An improvement in serum cystatin levels was observed. Few untoward effects were detected. These findings should be confirmed in wider clinical trials.

Verapamil: prevention and treatment of cardio-renal syndromes in diabetic hypertensive patients?

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) often present other chronic comorbidities including arterial hypertension (AH), chronic kidney disease (CKD), ischemic heart disease (IHD) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The frequent association of the latter conditions is considered part of the spectrum of cardio-renal syndromes (CRS), a group of disorders of the heart and kidneys whereby acute or chronic dysfunction in one organ may induce acute or chronic dysfunction of the other. Verapamil is a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB) widely used in the treatment of hypertension, chronic stable angina, secondary prevention of reinfarction, paroxysmal supra-ventricular tachycardia and for rate control in atrial fibrillation/flutter. In addition to its antihypertensive and anti-ischemic actions verapamil exerts favorable effects also on glycemic control, proteinuric diabetic nephropathy, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and sympathetic nervous system overactivity which may potentially benefit patients with DM and CRS. In this narrative review, we summarize the current evidence on the potential role of verapamil in the prevention and treatment of CRS in diabetic hypertensive patients.

Finerenone Reduces New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation Across the Spectrum of Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome: The FINE-HEART Pooled Analysis

BACKGROUND

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) modulate cardiac and systemic pathways such as fibrosis and inflammation, which may contribute to the onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL).

OBJECTIVES

In this participant-level pooled analysis of 3 large clinical trials, the authors evaluated the effect of the nonsteroidal MRA finerenone on incident AF/AFL across the cardio-kidney-metabolic (CKM) spectrum.

METHODS

In this prespecified analysis, we pooled participants from 2 trials of chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes (FIDELIO-DKD and FIGARO-DKD) and a trial of heart failure (HF) with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction (FINEARTS-HF). Patients were randomized 1:1 to finerenone or placebo. New-onset AF/AFL was prospectively adjudicated in all trials by blinded clinical event committees. The risk of new-onset AF/AFL was evaluated using Cox regression models stratified by region and trial.

RESULTS

Among 14,581 patients who were free of AF/AFL at trial enrollment, 631 (4.3%) experienced new-onset AF/AFL during follow-up. Predictors of new-onset AF/AFL included older age, history of HF, higher body mass index, geographic region, and higher levels of urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio. During 2.9 years of median follow-up, new-onset AF/AFL occurred in 286 (3.9%) participants receiving finerenone and 345 (4.7%) assigned to placebo (HR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.71-0.97; P = 0.019). Risk reductions were consistent irrespective of number of CKM conditions (Pinteraction = 0.87) and by trial (Pinteraction = 0.57). Participants with new-onset AF/AFL were at significantly higher subsequent risk of cardiovascular death, HF hospitalization, and adverse kidney outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The nonsteroidal MRA finerenone reduced the risk of new-onset AF/AFL across the CKM spectrum.

Prognosis of Patients with Acute Kidney Injury due to Type 1 Cardiorenal Syndrome Receiving Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

INTRODUCTION

The prognosis of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) caused by type 1 cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is unclear. We investigated the in-hospital mortality and prognostic factors in these patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified 154 consecutive adult patients who received CRRT for AKI caused by type 1 CRS between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019. We excluded patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery and those with stage 5 chronic kidney disease. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to analyze independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

The median age of patients at admission was 74.0 years (interquartile range: 63.0-80.0); 70.8% were male. The in-hospital mortality rate was 68.2%. Age ≥80 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-2.87; p = 0.004), previous hospitalization for acute heart failure (HR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.13-2.46; p = 0.01), vasopressor or inotrope use (HR, 5.88; 95% CI, 1.43-24.1; p = 0.014), and mechanical ventilation at CRRT initiation (HR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.46-3.45; p < 0.001) were associated with in-hospital mortality.

CONCLUSION

In our single-center study, the use of CRRT for AKI due to type 1 CRS was associated with high in-hospital mortality.

Relation of Cardiorenal Syndrome to Mitral and Tricuspid Regurgitation in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

This study aimed to investigate the role of secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in the pathogenesis of cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). Worsening renal function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure receiving diuretic therapy is defined as CRS and is related to central venous congestion. The role of secondary MR and TR is not well studied. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 80 consecutive patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (CRS) if creatinine increased >0.3 mg/dl from baseline and group 2 (no CRS) if creatinine remained stable or improved with diuretic therapy. Admission creatinine was higher in group 1 compared with group 2 (1.5 vs 1.2 mg/dl, p = 0.033). The magnitude of MR and TR were higher by both visual assessment (moderate to severe [3+] or severe [4+] MR in 68% of patients in group 1 vs 3% in group 2, p <0.0001; 3+ or 4+ TR in 48% of patients in group 1 vs 10% in group 2, p = 0.0004) and by vena contracta (MR 0.6 ± 0.2 cm in group 1 vs 0.4 ± 0.1 cm in group 2, p <0.0001; TR 0.5 ± 0.2 cm in group 1 vs 0.4 ± 0.2 cm in group 2, p = 0.0013). By using receiver operating characteristic curves, MR and TR were the most sensitive parameters in predicting CRS. In conclusion, renal function on admission and moderate to severe or severe MR and TR are highly predictive of the risk of developing CRS.

Benefit of natriuresis and cardiac resynchronisation therapy in acute decompensated heart failure with cardiorenal syndrome and hypernatraemia

A man in his eighties with acute heart failure and cardiorenal syndrome developed severe hypernatraemia with diuresis. In this situation, palliation is often considered when renal replacement therapy is inappropriate. The literature to guide treatment of dysnatraemia in this setting is limited. Diuretics often worsen hypernatraemia and fluid replacement exacerbates heart failure. We describe a successful approach to this clinical Catch-22: sequential nephron blockade with intravenous 5% dextrose. Seemingly counterintuitive, the natriuretic effect of this combination had not previously been compared with diuretic monotherapy for heart failure. Yet this immediately effective strategy generated a high natriuresis-to-diuresis ratio and functioned as a bridge to cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT). In conjunction with a low salt diet, CRT facilitated the maintenance of sodium homeostasis and fluid balance. Thus, by improving the underlying pathophysiology (ie, inadequate cardiac output), CRT may enhance the outcomes of patients with cardiorenal syndrome and hypernatraemia.

First-in-Man Use of the Percutaneous 10F Reitan Catheter Pump for Cardiorenal Syndrome

Cardiorenal syndrome worsens outcome in patients with decompensated chronic heart failure, and complicates recompensation by medical therapy. Mechanical circulatory support has the potential to improve renal function, and likely mitigates diuretic resistance in patients with severe cardiorenal syndrome. The Reitan catheter pump (RCP) is a novel temporary percutaneous circulatory support system for reducing cardiac afterload and increasing renal preload. Here, we report on the first-in-man use of the 10F-version of the RCP device, which was associated with favorable effects on hemodynamics and diuresis. Further investigation to evaluate safety and efficacy of this promising approach is warranted.