The association of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin 2 receptor blockers with renal protection in patients with SARS-CoV-2

Background

Kidney dysfunction is a prevalent disease that leads to many complications over time, such as hypertension, heart disease, and death. ACEI/ARBs are known to be renoprotective. However, few studies describe the association between ACEI/ARB use and kidney dysfunction in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Purpose

To explore the association between patients with SARS-CoV-2 and kidney dysfunction in patients taking an ACEI/ARB. We hypothesize a negative association between patients with SARS-CoV-2 taking an ACEI/ARB and kidney dysfunction.

Methods

A retrospective query between March 2020 and April 2021 was performed in patients 18 years and older who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 using a polymerase chain reaction test. Patients were divided into two groups: kidney dysfunction and no kidney dysfunction. Kidney dysfunction was defined as any diagnosis of chronic kidney disease or acute kidney injury. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and hospitalization rate. Secondary outcomes included myocardial infarction (MI), hypotension, intubation, vasopressor use, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. We used multivariate logistic regression to adjust for baseline characteristics.

Results

We identified 996 patients with kidney dysfunction and 22,106 without kidney dysfunction who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The incidence was 258 (25.9%) for ACEI/ARB use in patients with kidney dysfunction. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) for patients with kidney dysfunction was 5.705 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 4.554–7.146; p<0.001) for hospitalization, 0.895 (95% CI: 0.707–1.135; p<0.361) for patients taking ACEI/ARB, and 0.529 (95% CI: 0.333–0.838; <0.007) for mortality in patients with kidney dysfunction who took ACEI/ARB. All secondary outcomes had significantly greater adjusted OR (p<0.001), except for MI (p<0.339), ventricular tachycardia (p<0.697), and ventricular fibrillation (p<0.060).

Conclusion

To date, the benefits of ACEI/ARB in SARS-CoV-2 patients have been controversial. While ACEI/ARB is known to have renoprotective properties, we did not find a significant association between ACEI/ARB and kidney dysfunction in patients with SARS-CoV-2. However, we found the use of ACEI/ARB in patients with kidney dysfunction to be associated with lower mortality. Therefore, clinicians should continue using this medication for its mortality benefits in patients with kidney dysfunction and its cardioprotective effects.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Association between cardiovascular comorbidities and hospital admission in SARS-CoV-2 patients

Background

SARS-CoV-2 infection affects the cardiovascular system and can result in vascular dysregulation and dysfunction. However, the hospitalization rates due to pre-existing cardiovascular disease and concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection are not fully known.

Purpose

To further elucidate the association between hospitalization and SARS-CoV-2 patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. We hypothesize that pre-existing cardiovascular disease is positively associated with hospitalization in patients who test positive for SARS-CoV-2.

Methods

This is a retrospective study of patients 18 years and older who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March 2020 and April 2021. Patients with cardiovascular co-morbidities, specifically hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, were analyzed. The primary outcome was hospitalization. Secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), vasopressor use, hypotension, intubation, and acute kidney injury. Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for demographics and comorbidities.

Results

We identified 23,076 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; the hospitalization rate was 11.8% (2,721 patients). The incidence was 722 (26.5%) for CAD, 2068 (76%) for hypertension, 534 (91.3%) for heart failure, 188 (6.9%) for ESRD, 1484 (58.6%) for diabetes in patients who were hospitalized. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of hospitalization was of 1.54 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.112–2.125; p<0.009) in patients with CAD, 5.730 (95% CI: 4.685–7.009; p<0.001) in patients with hypertension, 3.639 (95% CI: 2.308–5.737; p<0.001) in patients with heart failure. Use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) (p<0.001) was associated with reduced hospitalization, while the use of hydralazine (p<0.001), beta-blockers (p<0.001), and calcium channel blockers (p<0.001) were associated with increased hospitalization.

Conclusion

SARS-CoV-2 positive patients with CAD, hypertension or heart failure were associated with increased hospitalization. Admitted patients were more likely to be taking calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, and hydralazine. In contrast, these patients were also less likely to be taking ACEI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.