Effect of nesiritide in isolated right ventricular failure secondary to pulmonary hypertension

Treatment of right ventricular failure (RVF) can be challenging due to the correlation between RVF and worsening renal function with diuretic therapy. Nesiritide has been studied in patients with left ventricular failure but has not been evaluated in isolated RVF. The authors retrospectively analyzed 140 patients admitted with RVF, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and preserved left ventricular systolic function. Seventy patients were treated with nesiritide while the remaining patients received only furosemide (no nesiritide group). Serum creatinine and GFR at baseline, 72?hours, discharge, and 1?month post-treatment, as well as hemodynamic data were compared between the groups. In the nesiritide group, there was a significant decrease in mean GFR (42.77±25.33, P<.001) at day of discharge and 1?month post-nesiritide infusion (41.17±24.94, P<.001) but not in the no nesiritide group. There was a significant difference in >25% decrease in GFR anytime through day 30 (47.14% vs. 25.71%, P=.036) between the two groups. On multivariate analysis, nesiritide remained an important predictor of renal function at discharge and at 1?month (P<.01) as well as a predictor of >25% decrease in GFR anytime through day 30 (P=.007). Thus, nesiritide is associated with worsening kidney function in patients with RVF in the setting of PH.     

Impact of nesiritide on renal function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure and pre-existing renal dysfunction a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to evaluate the impact of nesiritide on renal function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure and baseline renal dysfunction. BACKGROUND: Although nesiritide is approved for the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure, retrospective analyses have raised concerns that it may cause worsened renal function. To date, no randomized clinical trials have prospectively evaluated this issue. METHODS: Consecutive patients with acute decompensated heart failure and baseline renal dysfunction were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Subjects were randomized to receive nesiritide (0.01 microg/kg/min with or without a 2-microg/kg bolus) or placebo (5% dextrose in water) for 48 h in addition to their usual care. Predefined primary end points of the trial were a rise in serum creatinine by > or =20% and change in serum creatinine. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were enrolled (39 nesiritide, 36 placebo). The groups had similar baseline age (74.9 vs. 75.5 years, respectively), blood pressure (123/64 vs. 125/64 mm Hg) and serum creatinine (1.82 vs. 1.86 mg/dl). There were no significant differences in the incidence of a 20% creatinine rise (23% vs. 25%) or in the change in serum creatinine (-0.05 vs. +0.05 mg/dl). There were no significant differences in the secondary end points of change in weight (-2.19 vs. -1.58 kg), intravenous furosemide (125 vs. 107 mg), discontinuation of the infusion due to hypotension (13% vs. 6%), or 30-day death/hospital readmission (33% vs. 25%). CONCLUSIONS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, nesiritide had no impact on renal function in patients with acute decompensated heart failure. (BNP-CARDS trial; http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00186329?order=1; NCT00186329).     

Magnitude of underascertainment of impaired kidney function in older adults with normal serum creatinine

OBJECTIVES: To estimate in a community-dwelling elderly population the magnitude of renal function misclassification, occurring when persons with normal serum creatinine have reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and to describe the participant characteristics related to misclassification. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Population-based study of older Italian people. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred sixty participants aged 65 to 92 with normal serum creatinine. MEASUREMENTS: GFR was estimated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation and creatinine clearance (CrCl) calculated from 24-hour urine collection. RESULTS: In participants with normal serum creatinine, 39% and 25% had moderate renal function impairment (GFR<60 mL/min) according to the Cockcroft-Gault equation and CrCl calculation, respectively. Prevalence of moderate renal impairment in those aged 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85 and older was 18.6%, 58.3%, and 96.8%, respectively (P for trend <.001) according to the Cockcroft-Gault equation, and 15%, 35.7%, and 58.7%, respectively (P for trend <.001) based on the CrCl calculation. In addition, female sex (P<.001) and normal or underweight (P<.05) were factors associated with high risk of misclassification. CONCLUSION: Serum creatinine alone is one of the most widely used methods of assessing renal function in clinical practice despite its well-known poor correlation with GFR. A large proportion of older persons with impaired renal function are not diagnosed if clinicians rely solely on normal serum creatinine as evidence of normal renal function. Opportunities may be missed for slowing progression of kidney disease, managing comorbidities and complications related to renal impairment, and adjusting drug dosage for renal function.     

Association of impaired diurnal blood pressure variation with a subsequent decline in glomerular filtration rate

BACKGROUND: Most healthy people exhibit a decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) at night. A drop of less than 10% from mean daytime values (nondipping) is associated with chronic kidney disease, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular events. Whether nondipping precedes a decline in renal function remains unclear. We hypothesized that nondipping would predict a decline in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over time. METHODS: Consecutive patients referred for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were included in our retrospective cohort if they had a serum creatinine level noted at the time of their ambulatory blood pressure recording and a follow-up creatinine level recorded at least 1 year later. Mean day and night SBPs were compared (nighttime SBP-daytime [corrected] SBP ratio). We defined nondipping as a nighttime [corrected] SBP-daytime [corrected] SBP ratio higher than 0.90. The GFR was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease 4-variable equation. RESULTS: Of 322 patients included, 137 were dippers and 185 were nondippers; their mean baseline GFRs were 80.5 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) and 76.4 mL/min per 1.73 m(2), respectively. During a median follow-up of 3.2 years, the GFRs remained stable among dippers (mean change, 1.3%) but declined among nondippers (mean change, -15.9%) (P<.001). The creatinine levels increased by more than 50% in 2 dippers (1.5%) and in 32 nondippers (17.3%) (P<.001). These findings persisted after adjustment for other predictors of GFR decline. CONCLUSION: Blunted diurnal blood pressure variation is associated with a subsequent deterioration in renal function that is independent of SBP load and other risk factors for renal impairment.     

High prevalence of renal dysfunction and its impact on outcome in 118,465 patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure: a report from the ADHERE database

BackgroundThe prevalence of renal dysfunction in patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure remains poorly characterized.Methods and ResultsData from 118,465 hospitalization episodes were evaluated. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. At admission, 10,660 patients (9.0%) had normal renal function (GFR ≥ 90 mL·min·1.73 m²), 32,423 patients (27.4%) had mild renal dysfunction (GFR 60–89 mL·min·1.73 m²), 51,553 patients (43.5%) had moderate renal dysfunction (GFR 30–59 mL·min·1.73 m²), 15,553 patients (13.1%) had severe renal dysfunction (GFR 15–29 mL·min·1.73 m²), and 8276 patients (7.0%) had kidney failure (GFR < 15 mL·min·1.73 m² or chronic dialysis). Despite this, only 33.4% of men and 27.3% of women were diagnosed with renal insufficiency. Diuretic dose, inotrope use, and nesiritide use increased, whereas angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker use decreased, with increasing renal dysfunction (all P < .0001 across stages). In-hospital mortality increased from 1.9% for patients with normal renal function to 7.6% and 6.5% for patients with severe dysfunction and kidney failure, respectively (P < .0001).ConclusionsThe majority of patients admitted with acute decompensated heart failure have significant renal impairment, which influences treatment and outcomes.     

Assessment of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker on the split renal function in the patients with primary hypertension

Bilateral kidney damage in hypertensive patients is not parallel. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB), as a commonly used antihypertensive drug, could protect kidney function and delay its deterioration. Most studies focused on overall renal function, but the researches on split renal function (SRF) are rare. We investigated the effects of ACEI/ARB on the SRF in patients with primary hypertension.Patients with primary hypertension (n = 429; male: 213; female: 216) admitted to our department between January 2014 and December 2016 were included in this study. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of split and total renal function were determined using diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid tagged with 99mTc renal dynamic imaging method. For the same patient, the side with high GFR was considered as higher GFR kidney, whereas that with a low GFR was considered as lower GFR kidney. The split function score (Q value) was utilized to evaluate the differences of bilateral renal function. The patients were divided into 3 groups based on the Q values (Group 1, Q value <5%; Group 2, Q value of 5%–10%; Group 3, Q value ≥10%). All the patients received antihypertensive therapy based on ACEI/ARB. The renal dynamic imaging was performed in the 1-year follow-up to investigate the changes of the SRF.Compared with the baseline level, significant decline was noticed in the serum creatinine (Scr) in Group 2 and Group 3 (P < .05). The cystatin C in Group 3 showed significant decline (P < .05). Compared with the baseline, there was significant decline in the Q value in Group 2, whereas the GFR of lower GFR kidney showed significant increase (P < .05). No statistical differences were noticed in the Q value and split GFR in Group 1 and Group 3 (P > .05).In primary hypertension patients, ACEI/ARB therapy could improve the SRF of lower GFR kidney in the presence of certain differences between the SRF. As a result, the SRF difference was reduced. In case of Q value in a range of 5% to 10%, ACEI/ARB could improve the renal function effectively. It may be significant for the design of antihypertensive drugs.     

Low-dose nesiritide improves renal function in heart failure patients following acute myocardial infarction

This study was designed to investigate the effect of low-dose nesiritide on renal function and major cardiac events in patients with acute decompensated heart failure following acute myocardial infarction. Sixty patients were randomized into nesiritide (loading dose 0.5 μg/kg, maintenance dose 0.0075 μg/kg/min) and nitroprusside groups. Compared with the nitroprusside group, the nesiritide group had a greater heart rate reduction (P < 0.05), higher 24 h urine volume (P < 0.001), and more significant alleviation in dyspnea (P < 0.001). The prevalence of hypotension in the nesiritide group was lower than in the nitroprusside group (7.4% vs 28.5%, P < 0.05). The nesiritide group had a greater reduction in serum noradrenaline, angiotensin II, aldosterone, endothelin, and N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (all P < 0.01). The mean serum creatinine in the nesiritide group was reduced (109.4 ± 26.6 vs 102.8 ± 21.6 μmol/l, P < 0.01), whereas it remained unchanged in the nitroprusside group (106.8 ± 20 vs 106.0 ± 19.2 μmol/l, P > 0.05). The rehospitalization or mortality rate was similar between the two groups 3 months after the therapy (P > 0.05). We conclude that low-dose nesiritide is more effective in suppressing the activation of the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems. It also improves the clinical symptoms and enhances renal function, but its effect on hospital readmission or mortality rate needs further investigation.     

重组人B型利钠肽治疗老年急性前壁心肌梗死合并收缩性心力衰竭患者的疗效和安全性

目的研究重组人B型利钠肽(rhBNP)治疗急性前壁心肌梗死(AAMI)伴收缩性心力衰竭(SHF)老年患者的临床疗效和安全性。方法连续住院的发病72h内AAMI-SHF老年患者(60岁)87例,随机分为rhBNP组和硝酸甘油(NTG)组,在常规治疗的基础上,分别给予持续静脉滴注rhBNP或NTG24h。记录呼吸困难改善情况、测定BNP、血肌酐和肾小球滤过率(GFR),观察治疗后心脏功能改变和30d内的主要不良心脏事件(MACE)的发生情况。结果rhBNP组患者呼吸困难缓解时间显著短于NTG组(P0.05),左室射血分数(LVEF)、左室舒张末容积(LVEDD)以及血浆BNP水平的改善在rhBNP组显著优于NTG组(P0.01)。两组GFR均下降,第3天GFR回升,第7天时,GFR水平已经显著高于基线水平,两组各时间点比较均无显著性差异。用药后7d内rhBNP组室性心律失常发生率显著少于NTG组(P0.05)。14和30dMACE事件发生率rhBNP组均显著少于NTG组(P0.05)。结论rhBNP可有效改善老年急性心肌梗死合并SHF患者的心脏功能,降低30dMACE事件发生率,对患者肾功能无显著影响。     

胱抑素C在评估慢性心力衰竭患者肾功能不全中的价值

目的观察慢性心力衰竭（CHF）患者的血清胱抑素C（Cys-C）、血清肌酐（Scr）、肾小球率过滤（eGFR）水平,评估Cys-C在CHF患者肾功能不全中的诊断价值。方法选取我院住院88例CHF的患者测定Cys-C、Scr,计算eGRF（简化MDRD公式）,根据eGFR水平将患者分成4组：GRF正常组、GRF轻度下降组、GRF中度下降组、GRF重度下降及肾衰竭组,比较4组间Cys-C、Scr的差异并进行Cys-C、Scr与GRF的相关性分析。结果 4组患者的血清Cys-C水平分别为（0.93±0.18）,（1.08±0.22）,（1.58±0.59）,（2.7±0.86）mg/L,差异有显著统计学意义（P〈0.01）,血清Cys-C与GRF显著相关,相关系数为0.62（P〈0.01）。结论 Cys-C可以作为肾小球滤过率的判断指标,有助于慢性心力衰竭患者肾功能不全的早期诊断。     

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in patients with chronic hepatitis B: A cross‐sectional survey

Renal safety is a major concern during long‐term antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with CHB that had been treated with antiviral therapy. This was a single‐centre, cross‐sectional study in a real‐life cohort in which all patients received antiviral treatment. Serum creatinine‐based equations from the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD‐EPI) were used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). CKD was defined as an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² or a urinary albumin to creatinine ratio ≥ 3 mg/mmol (defined as albuminuria). Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine the risk factors of CKD. A total of 1985 patients were included in the analysis from February 2015 to December 2015. The mean age and median duration of antiviral treatment was 42.20 years and 17.05 months, respectively. The overall prevalence of CKD was 7.9% (157/1985), with 44 patients experiencing decreased renal function (eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m²) and 129 patients with albuminuria. Patients with cirrhosis had a higher prevalence of a decreased GFR (4.3% vs 1.6%, P<.001) and albuminuria (11.1% vs 5.2%, P<.001) than those without cirrhosis. In the multivariate analysis, hypertension (Odds Ratio [OR] 4.564, P<.001), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.688, P<.001) and cirrhosis (OR 1.918, P<.001) were independent factors associated with the presence of CKD. CKD was a clinically significant comorbidity in patients with CHB. Special attention should be paid to cirrhotic patients and patients with the metabolic syndrome.     

Safety and efficacy of nesiritide in pediatric heart failure

BackgroundWe hypothesized that recombinant B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) (nesiritide) could improve urine output and neurohormonal markers of heart failure without worsening renal function in pediatric patients.Methods and ResultsWe analyzed our experience involving 140 nesiritide infusions in 63 consecutive children. Serum levels of BNP and electrolytes were measured before and after therapy. Dosing was begun at 0.01 mcg·kg·min without a bolus and titrated to a maximum of 0.03 mcg·kg·min, in 0.005-mcg·kg·min increments. Blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rhythm were monitored. In a substudy, 20 patients with decompensated cardiomyopathy-related heart failure received 72 hours of nesiritide with prospective assessment of aldosterone, norepinephrine, plasma renin, and endothelin-1 levels before and after therapy. The heart rate decreased significantly (P = .001). Urine output increased significantly on Days 1 and 3 (P ≤ .001 and .004, respectively). The mean serum creatinine level decreased from 1.135 to 1.007 mg/dL (P ≤ .001). In the substudy, aldosterone levels decreased from 37.5 ± 57.1 to 20.5 ± 41.9 ng/dL (P = .005). Plasma renin, norepinephrine, and endothelin-1 levels decreased nonsignificantly. Two infusions were discontinued because of hypotension.ConclusionsNesiritide safely treated decompensated heart failure in children. Increased urine output reflected improving renal function. Improved neurohormonal markers were seen after 72 hours of therapy, and complications were uncommon.     

Concealed renal failure and adverse drug reactions in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: In elderly patients serum creatinine may be normal despite decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of this "concealed" renal failure, i.e., renal failure with normal serum creatinine levels, in elderly diabetic patients, and to verify whether it is a risk factor for adverse drug reactions (ADR) to hydrosoluble drugs. METHODS: We used data on 2257 hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus enrolled in the Gruppo Italiano di Farmacovigilanza nell'Anziano study. On the basis of serum creatinine and calculated GFR, patients were grouped as follows: normal renal function (normal serum creatinine levels and normal GFR), concealed (normal serum creatinine levels and reduced GFR), or overt (increased creatinine levels and reduced GFR) renal failure. GFR was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. The outcome of the study was the incidence of ADR to hydrosoluble drugs during the hospital stay. The relationship between renal function and ADR was evaluated using Cox regression analysis including potential confounders. RESULTS: Concealed renal failure was observed in 363 (16.1%) of patients studied. Patients with concealed or overt renal failure were older, had more frequently cognitive impairment and polypharmacy, and had lower serum albumin levels than did those with normal renal function. Both concealed (hazard ratio = 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-3.48; p =.036) and overt (hazard ratio = 2.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-3.55; p =.001) renal failure were significantly associated with ADR to hydrosoluble drugs. The use of more than four drugs also qualified as an independent risk factor for ADRs to hydrosoluble drugs during hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Older diabetic patients should be systematically screened to ascertain the presence of concealed renal failure in an attempt to optimize the pharmacological treatment and reduce the risk of ADRs.     

Early Creatinine Shifts Predict Contrast-induced Nephropathy and Persistent Renal Damage after Angiography

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate incidence and predictors of contrast-induced nephropathy after coronary angiography and interventions, and to assess renal function at 30 days. The prognostic value of any early shift of serum creatinine compared with baseline was investigated; such measurement, being a delta, is largely independent of creatinine variations.

Methods

There were 216 patients at risk for contrast-induced nephropathy prospectively evaluated at baseline and at 12, 24, and 48 hours after exposure to contrast media, and 190 (88%) evaluated 1 month after discharge.

Results

Contrast-induced nephropathy occurred in 39 patients (18%), and 30-day renal damage was detected in 15 (7%). Contrast media/kg volume predicted contrast-induced nephropathy (P = .002), and percentage change of creatinine 12 hours from baseline was significantly higher in patients with nephropathy (P <.001). At multivariate analysis, percentage change of creatinine 12 hour-basal was the best predictor of nephropathy (P <.001). A 5% increase of its value yielded 75% sensitivity and 72% specificity (area under the curve 0.80; odds ratio 7.37; 95% confidence interval, 3.34-16.23) for early contrast-induced nephropathy detection. Furthermore, it strongly correlated with the development of renal impairment at 30 days (P = .002; sensitivity 87%, specificity 70%; area under the curve 0.85; odds ratio 13.29; 95% confidence interval, 2.91-60.64).

Conclusion

Minimal elevations of serum creatinine at 12 hours are highly predictive of contrast-induced nephropathy and 30-day renal damage after exposure to contrast media.     

Evaluation of cystatin C and beta-2 microglobulin as markers of renal function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Despite recent studies showing that serum cystatin C (CC) is a better marker for GFR than the ubiquitously used serum creatinine, its clinical utility remains under evaluation. METHODS: To evaluate their usefulness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), serum concentrations of CC, beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) and creatinine were measured in 105 (38 males, 67 females) Kuwaiti patients with type 2 DM. The results were compared with creatinine clearance (Ccr), which was measured (mCcr) and estimated (eCcr) with the Cockroft-Gault formula, and correlated with 24-h urine protein and early morning urine albumin/creatinine excretion ratio. RESULTS: In patients with eCcr and mCcr results (n=51), eCcr and mCcr showed significant correlation with each other (r's=.86, P<.0001) with no significant difference between the two. In all patients (n=105), CC and B2M showed significant correlation with each other (r's=.82, P<.0001) and with serum creatinine concentration (r's=.77 and.84, respectively, P<.0001). Serum CC, B2M and creatinine showed significant (P<.001) inverse correlation with eCcr (r's=-.63, -.61 and -.76, respectively). Partial correlations after correcting for age and sex improved the correlation of serum creatinine with eCcr (r=-.81, P<.0001), but there was no significant change in the correlations of CC and B2M with eCcr (r=-.65, P<.0001 and r=-.62, P<.0001, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) plots for serum CC, B2M and creatinine for detection of changes in the eCcr showed that the area under the ROC curve+/-S.E. is 0.897+/-0.119 for CC, 0.871+/-0.091 for B2M and 0.785+/-0.087 for serum creatinine. There was no statistically significant difference between the areas under the curve (AUC) for serum creatinine and CC (P=.07) and B2M (P=.12). CC had the highest sensitivity for detection of eCcr (<60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) at routinely used cutoff values. CC was also the best discriminator when patients with normoalbuminuria were compared with patients with microalbuminuria. CONCLUSION: Although there is no significant difference in the overall diagnostic accuracies of CC, B2M and creatinine for the detection of changes in the GFR, CC is the most sensitive marker at routinely used cutoff values and would be more clinically useful than B2M or serum creatinine in diabetic patients.     

泼尼松联合双嘧达莫治疗小儿肾病综合征的临床疗效及对患儿肾功能与凝血功能的影响

目的 探讨泼尼松联合双嘧达莫治疗小儿肾病综合征(NS)的临床效果以及对患儿肾功能、凝血功能的影响.方法 选取2017年1月至2020年3月本院收治的NS患儿62例,采用随机数字法分成实验组(32例)与对照组(30例).在常规治疗的基础上,对照组患儿给予泼尼松治疗,实验组患儿给予泼尼松及双嘧达莫治疗,治疗1个月后比较两组...     

Use of a novel ultrafiltration device as a treatment strategy for diuretic resistant, refractory heart failure: initial clinical experience in a single center

BackgroundThe System 100 UF device allows ultrafiltration (UF) via peripheral access and is approved for use in heart failure (HF), although clinical trials defining optimal target population and clinical utility are lacking. We report our initial experience with clinical use of this system in very advanced, diuretic resistant HF patients.Methods and ResultsEleven HF patients (mean age 70 years) underwent 1 to 5 UF treatments each (total 32 UF). The goal was to remove 4 liters of fluid per 8-hour UF. Baseline creatinine averaged 2.2 mg/dL (range .9–3.2) while estimated glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) averaged 38 mL/min (range 20–87). Nine patients (82%) had moderate (GFR 30–59; n = 3) or severe (GFR <30; n = 6) renal dysfunction. Nine patients (82%) had documented right ventricular dysfunction, 6 with severe tricuspid regurgitation. Average daily intravenous furosemide dose prior to UF was 258 mg (range 80–480). Patients had received nesiritide (n = 4), dopamine (n = 4), and zaroxylyn (n = 7) prior to UF. Of the 32 UF treatments, 13 (41%) removed >3500 mL, 11 (34%) removed 2500–3500 mL, and 8 (25%) removed <2500 mL. Only one UF treatment (3%) was aborted due to hypotension. There were no significant complications related to UF. Five patients (45%) experienced an increase in creatinine of >.3 mg/dl. Five patients required dialysis for persistant diuretic resistant volume overload or uremic symptoms. Six-month mortality was 55%.ConclusionsPeripheral UF safely but variably removed fluid. In this very high-risk, advanced HF population, 45% of patients developed worsening renal function during UF therapy. Controlled studies are needed to determine the impact of UF on renal function and outcomes in high-risk populations such as this.     

Creatinine clearance and contrast nephropathy in patients with normal creatinine levels

The main risk factor for contrast nephropathy is the presence of poor renal function. Plasma creatinine level is not a reliable measure of renal function as its value could lie within the normal range despite the presence of significant nephropathy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the creatinine clearance rate as a predictor of contrast nephropathy in patients with a normal plasma creatinine level. The study included 273 consecutive patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEACS) and a normal plasma creatinine level at admission who underwent coronary angiography. Patients who developed contrast nephropathy had a lower creatinine clearance rate at admission (66.3 mL/min vs. 83.4 mL/min; P<.001). A creatinine clearance rate < 80 mL/min had a sensitivity of 81% for predicting contrast nephropathy. Creatinine clearance should be measured routinely in patients with NSTEACS who are scheduled for coronary angiography.     

Renal artery stenting in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease

Objectives : To investigate the role of renal stenting in selected patients with chronic ischemic heart disease and renal artery stenosis. Methods : Consecutive patients, with chronic ischemic heart disease and severe hypertension and/or impaired renal function undergoing renal stenting, were prospectively enrolled. Mid‐term (at least 2 years) follow‐up was performed to assess both changes in renal function [serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtrate rate (eGFR)] and blood pressure (BP) control (number of required drugs) and to record the incidence of clinical major adverse events. Moreover, in the first consecutive 24 patients, out‐of‐range pressure values at 24‐hr BP monitoring and GFR at renal scintigraphy were measured at baseline and 1 month after stenting. Results : Seventy patients treated by stenting on 86 renal arteries entered the study. Procedural success rate was 99% and no major complication occurred. At 2‐year follow‐up, both mean serum creatinine (?0.1 ± 0.7 mg/dl at follow‐up compared to baseline, P = 0.6) and eGFR (+3.7 ± 23.5 ml/min/1.73m² at follow‐up compared to baseline, P = 0.2) did not significantly change while the number of drugs required to control BP significantly decreased (2.7 ± 0.8 to 2.2 ± 0.7, P < 0.0001). In the subset of 24 patients evaluated at 1 month, GFR significantly increased (62 ± 20 ml/min to 67 ± 21 ml/min; P = 0.008) and the rate of the out‐of‐range systolic pressure values at 24‐hr monitoring significantly decreased (51–33%, P = 0.005). Elevated baseline creatinine values and the presence of global renal ischemia were identified as predictors of poor outcome at the multivariate analysis. Conclusions : In selected patients with chronic ischemic heart disease and hypertension and/or renal insufficiency, renal stenting may be performed with very low periprocedural complications and results in unchanged renal function and improved BP control. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Potential applications of outpatient nesiritide infusions in patients with advanced heart failure and concomitant renal insufficiency (from the Follow-Up Serial Infusions of Nesiritide [FUSION I] trial)

This retrospective substudy of the Follow-Up Serial Infusions of Nesiritide trial (FUSION I) assessed the feasibility of outpatient administration of nesiritide in 138 patients with co-morbid advanced heart failure and renal insufficiency (estimated creatinine clearance<60 ml/min). Patients received 1 of 3 treatments once weekly for 12 weeks: standard care (SC), SC plus nesiritide 0.005 microg/kg/min, or SC plus nesiritide 0.010 microg/kg/min. The addition of nesiritide to SC was well tolerated, with no evidence of worsening renal function, compared with SC only and was associated with a reduction in the rate of all-cause hospitalization or mortality through week 12, with hazard ratios of 2.027 (95% confidence interval 1.165 to 3.525) and 2.219 (95% confidence interval 1.233 to 3.992) for the SC-only group compared with the SC plus 0.005 microg/kg/min and SC plus 0.010 microg/kg/min nesiritide groups, respectively. These findings raise the hypothesis that adjunctive therapy with nesiritide on an outpatient basis may be beneficial for patients with advanced heart failure and renal insufficiency. Further study is warranted to test the validity of this finding.     

Prospective evaluation of aggressive medical therapy for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis, with renal artery stenting reserved for previously injured heart, brain, or kidney

Sixty-six patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS) and serum creatinine < or =2.0 mg/dl were treated with antihypertensive therapy, a statin, and aspirin. Renal stenting was reserved for patients with injuries to the heart, brain, or kidneys. The primary end point was stenotic kidney glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at 21 months; secondary end points included major adverse clinical events, serum creatinine, total GFR, and blood pressure (BP). After baseline evaluation, 26 of 66 patients underwent renal stenting because of injuries to the heart, brain, or kidneys. After 21 months, 6 medical patients required renal stenting, and 5 patients experienced late clinical events (2 medical patients, 3 stent patients). There was no difference in final BP between groups. Whereas medical patients experienced 6% and 8% decreases in total and stenotic kidney GFR, stent patients experienced 7% and 11% increases in total kidney (p = 0.006) and stenotic kidney (p = 0.02) GFR. There was no difference in final serum creatinine. In conclusion, patients with atherosclerotic RAS and baseline creatinine < or =2.0 mg/dl can be safely managed with aggressive medical therapy, with a small decrease in GFR. For patients who develop injuries to the heart, brain, or kidneys, renal artery stenting may further reduce hypertension and improve renal function.