Haemodynamic parameters associated with renal function prior to and following heart transplantation

In heart failure, echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular function are powerful tools to predict renal failure

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a high prevalence in patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with prolonged hospitalization, increased need for intensive care and mortality. There is an urgent need to identify factors that influence the interaction between heart and kidney disorders, often described as cardiorenal syndrome (CRS). We investigated the epidemiology and risk factors of renal insufficiency in patients with HF.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 281 consecutive patients with HF that are examined at regular intervals at our outpatient clinic for HF. CKD was defined as the presence of an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and worsening renal function (WRF) was defined as a decrease of eGFR > 15% within a year. We assessed the patient's medical history, laboratory and echocardiographic parameters at baseline and after 12 months.

RESULTS

Right ventricular dysfunction was associated with CKD and WRF. In particular, echocardiographic parameters 'tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) < 15 mm' (P < 0.001; OR 2.932), 'tricuspid regurgitation (TR) > I°' [P < 0.001; odds ratio (OR) 5.958] and dilatation of inferior vena cava (IVC) (P < 0.001; OR 3.670) were significantly correlated with renal failure. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels were significantly associated with CKD (P < 0.001; OR 6.109) and correlated with pressure and volume load of the right heart.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this work support the theory of right-sided cardiac backward failure, often accompanied by hypervolaemia, as a leading cause of HF-related renal failure. Right heart parameters, especially TR, TAPSE and IVC, are obtained easily by transthoracic echocardiography and can predict renal failure.

Prediction of Kidney Function Improvement After Heart Transplantation

Background/Objectives: Patients with advanced heart failure (HF) often suffer from impaired kidney function. Based on the pathophysiology of types I and II of cardiorenal syndrome, heart transplantation (Htx) may restore renal function. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of improvement in kidney function after HTx. Methods: Htx patients from a tertiary hospital were retrospectively divided into three groups-improvement (n = 24), deterioration (n = 31) and no significant change in eGFR (n = 45)-based on changes in their mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) within the first three postoperative months, compared to the last three preoperative months. The threshold for eGFR improvement was defined as a ≥20% increase, while deterioration was defined as a ≥20% decrease. The no significant change group was defined as any change falling between these two values. Results: The median age of analyzed cohort was 54 (45-63) years, and 82% were male. Preoperatively, the improvement group was more frequently treated with inotropes or vasopressors and had significantly higher blood urea and total bilirubin levels before Htx. In the multivariate analysis, total bilirubin before Htx (OR 1.66; 95% CI; 1.24-2.69; p = 0.002) and no need for RRT early after Htx (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.24-0.88; p = 0.02) were independent predictors of improved kidney function in the first three months after HTx. Conclusions: The improvement in renal function after HTx is uncommon. It could be expected in patients suffering from more severe forms of HF, with impaired kidney and liver function but who did not need RRT after the surgery.

The Year in Cardiothoracic Transplant Anesthesia: Selected Highlights From 2021 Part II: Cardiac Transplantation

This article spotlights the research highlights of this year that specifically pertain to the specialty of anesthesia for heart transplantation. This includes the research on recent developments in the selection and optimization of donors and recipients, including the use of donation after cardiorespiratory death and extended criteria donors, the use of mechanical circulatory support and nonmechanical circulatory support as bridges to transplantation, the effect of COVID-19 on heart transplantation candidates and recipients, and new advances in the perioperative management of these patients, including the use of echocardiography and postoperative outcomes, focusing on renal and cerebral outcomes.

Prognosis of Advanced Heart Failure Patients according to Their Hemodynamic Profile Based on the Modified Forrester Classification

Introduction: Heart transplantation (HT) remains the gold-standard treatment but is conditioned by organ shortage. This study aimed to evaluate the value of Forrester classification and determine which congestion criteria had the best prognostic value to predict cardiorenal events on heart transplant waiting list. Methods and results: One hundred consecutive patients (54 years old, 72% men) with available right heart catheterization (RHC) listed in our center for HT between 2014 and 2019 were included. Cardiac catheterization measurements were obtained at the time of HT listing evaluation. Patients were classified according to perfusion and congestion status in four groups: “warm and dry”, “warm and wet”, “cold and dry”, and “cold and wet”. pWet was used to classify patients with pulmonary congestion and sWet for systemic congestion. The primary endpoint was the rate of a composite criteria of cardiogenic shock, acute kidney injury, and acute heart failure. Secondary endpoint was the incidence of waitlist death, emergency HT, or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation at 12 months evaluated by Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank test. Only Forrester classification according to systemic congestion was associated with the primary composite endpoint (p = 0.011), while patients’ profile according to pulmonary congestion was not (p = 0.331). Similarly, only the Forrester classification according to systemic congestion predicted waitlist death, emergency HT, or LVAD implantation at 12 months, with p = 0.010 and p = 0.189 for systemic and pulmonary congestion, respectively. Moreover, systemic congestion was the main driver of cardiorenal events on waitlist. Conclusions: Forrester classification according to systemic congestion is associated with cardiorenal outcomes in patients listed for heart transplant and the risk of waitlist death, emergency HT, or LVAD implantation at 12 months.