Congestive heart failure
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Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) refers to pathophysiologic interaction of the heart and kidney and is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) and high mortality. Cardiac surgery or acute decompensated heart failure and radiocontrast-induced nephropathy are common clinical scenarios of CRS. Unfortunately, established functional biomarkers of glomerular filtration rate such as serum creatinine, urea, and diuresis delay AKI diagnosis by 24 to 48 hours. ⋯ This review focuses on several novel renal biomarkers with the most promising biologic characteristics and clinical evidence for their AKI predictive ability: neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, kidney injury molecule-1, interleukin 18, and fatty acid-binding proteins. The value of each biomarker is reviewed on currently available clinical data in typical settings of CRS. These markers might extend the therapeutic window during which timely and individualized patient management might be possible.
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Many of the primary clinical manifestations of heart failure are due to fluid retention and congestion, and therefore treatments targeting congestion play a central role in heart failure management. Diuretic therapy remains the cornerstone of congestion treatment, and diuretics are prescribed to the majority of heart failure patients. ⋯ Recent clinical trial data have provided new insights into the balance of risks and benefits from diuretics. This review describes the mechanism of action of available diuretic classes, reviews their clinical use based on current guidelines, and briefly discusses evolving alternatives to diuretic therapy in the management of congestion in heart failure patients.
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Congestive heart failure · Jul 2010
RIFLE criteria for cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury: risk factors and outcomes.
The aims of this study were to identify risk factors and evaluate the association with clinical outcomes of postoperative cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI). Data from 2488 consecutive adult patients were analyzed. Patients were classified as having CSA-AKI based on the risk, injury, failure, loss of kidney function, and end-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) criteria using peak postoperative creatinine in the postoperative intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Furthermore, CSA-AKI patients had higher hospital mortality (5.5% vs 1.5%, P<.001) and significantly longer ICU and hospital stays. Independent risk factors for CSA-AKI were age, peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and surgery on the thoracic aorta. In conclusion, patients who develop CSA-AKI have a higher preoperative risk profile, more complex surgery, and worse clinical outcomes.