[Cardiovascular pharmacotherapy and coronary revascularization in end-stage renal failure]

Herz. 2019 Nov;44(7):611-629. doi: 10.1007/s00059-019-04846-6.
[Article in German]

Abstract

There is a close physiological relationship between the kidneys and the heart. Cardiovascular diseases are the most prevalent cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), whereas CKD may directly accelerate the progression of cardiovascular diseases and is considered to be a cardiovascular risk factor. In patients with mild CKD, i.e. an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >60 ml/min/1.73 m2, treatment of coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure is not essentially different from patients with preserved renal function; however, as most pivotal trials have systematically excluded patients with advanced renal failure, many treatment recommendations in this patient group are based on observational studies, post hoc subgroup analyses and meta-analyses or pathophysiological considerations, which are not supported by controlled studies. Therefore, prospective randomized studies on the management of heart failure and coronary artery disease are needed, which should specifically focus on the growing number of patients with advanced renal functional impairment.

Keywords: Cardiorenal syndrome; Cardiovascular diseases; Chronic renal insufficiency; Coronary disease; Heart failure.

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / complications
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / surgery
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic*
  • Myocardial Revascularization*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Renal Insufficiency*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* / complications