The Effect in Renal Function and Vascular Decongestion in Type 1 Cardiorenal Syndrome Treated with Two Strategies of Diuretics, a Pilot Randomized Trial.

AIM: The main treatment strategy in type 1 cardiorenal syndrome (CRS1) is vascular decongestion. It is probable that sequential blockage of the renal tubule with combined diuretics (CD) will obtain similar benefits compared with stepped-dose furosemide (SF). METHODS: In a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial of CRS1 patients were allocated in a 1:1 fashion to SF or CD. The SF group received a continuous infusion of furosemide 100 mg during the first day, with daily incremental doses to 200 mg, 300 mg and 400 mg. The CD group received a combination of diuretics, including 4 consecutive days of oral chlorthalidone 50 mg, spironolactone 50 mg and infusion of furosemide 100 mg. The objectives were to assess renal function recovery and variables associated with vascular decongestion. RESULTS: From July 2017 to February 2020, 80 patients were randomized, 40 to the SF and 40 to the CD group. Groups were similar at baseline and had several very high-risk features. Their mean age was 59 ± 14.5 years, there were 37 men (46.2%). The primary endpoint occurred in 20% of the SF group and 15.2% of the DC group (p = 0.49). All secondary and exploratory endpoints were similar between groups. Adverse events occurred frequently (85%) with no differences between groups (p = 0.53). CONCLUSION: In patients with CRS1 and a high risk of resistance to diuretics, the use of CD compared to SF offers the same results in renal recovery, diuresis, vascular decongestion and adverse events, and it can be considered an alternative treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov with number NCT04393493 on 19/05/2020 retrospectively registered.

Cardiorenal syndrome: classification, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management. Literature review / Síndrome cardiorrenal: clasificación, fisiopatología, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Una revisión de las publicaciones médicas.

The cardiorenal syndrome is a complex entity in which a primary heart dysfunction causes kidney injury (Types 1 and 2) and vice versa (Types 3 and 4), being either acute or chronic events, or maybe the result of a systemic disease that involves both organs (Type 5). Approximately 49% of heart failure cases present some grade of kidney dysfunction, significantly increasing morbidity and mortality rates. Its pathogenesis involves a variety of hemodynamic, hormonal and immunological factors that in the majority of cases produce fluid overload; the diagnosis and treatment of such constitutes the disease's management basis. Currently, a clinical based diagnosis is insufficient and the use of biochemical markers, such as natriuretic peptides, or lung and heart ultrasound is required. These tools, along with urinary sodium levels, allow the evaluation of therapy effectiveness. The preferred initial decongestive strategy is based on a continuous infusion of a loop diuretic with a step-up dosing regimen, aiming for a minimal daily urine volume of 3 liters, with the possibility to sequentially add potassium sparing diuretics, thiazide diuretics and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors to reach the diuresis goal, leaving ultrafiltration as a last resource due to its higher rate of complications. Finally, evidence-based therapy should be given to improve quality of life, decrease mortality, and delay the deterioration of kidney and heart function over the long term.

El síndrome cardiorrenal es una entidad compleja en la que la disfunción primaria cardíaca produce daño renal (tipos 1 y 2) y viceversa (tipos 3 y 4) y los episodios pueden ser agudos o crónicos o bien efecto de una enfermedad sistémica que afecta a ambos órganos (tipo 5). Hasta 49% de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca muestra algún grado de disfunción renal, lo que aumenta de manera significativa la morbilidad y mortalidad. Su patogenia incluye diversos factores hemodinámicos, hormonales e inmunológicos que en la mayor parte de los casos producen sobrecarga hídrica, y cuyo diagnóstico y tratamiento son la base de su atención. En la actualidad, el diagnóstico clínico es insuficiente y se requieren marcadores bioquímicos, como péptidos natriuréticos, o el uso de ultrasonido pulmonar y cardíaco; estas herramientas, junto con la medición del sodio urinario, también permiten vigilar la efectividad terapéutica. De modo inicial se prefieren las medidas descongestivas con diuréticos de asa en infusión continua a dosis escalonadas para alcanzar una diuresis mínima de 3 L por día, con la posibilidad de agregar diuréticos ahorradores de potasio, tiazidas e inhibidores de la anhidrasa carbónica de modo secuencial para alcanzar el objetivo; como último recurso se recurre a la ultrafiltración en virtud de su mayor tasa de complicaciones. Por último, se debe indicar tratamiento con base en la evidencia para mejorar la calidad de vida, reducir la mortalidad y retrasar el deterioro de la función renal y cardíaca a largo plazo.

Methodological assessment of Mexican Clinical Practice Guidelines: GRADE framework adherence and critical appraisal.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) provide evidence-based recommendations to healthcare professionals, policy makers, patients and other stakeholders. Mexico is the biggest producer of CPGs in Latin America and Caribbean countries. The National Healthcare Technology Excellence Center (acronym in Spanish: CENETEC) is responsible for the CPG development, adaptation and update. The aim of this study was to assess the adherence to the GRADE framework and to critically appraise the Mexican CPGs with the AGREE-II tool. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study with a random sample of 86 CPGs produced by CENETEC between 2015 and 2017 and published in an online database called "Catalogo Maestro". We assessed the adherence to the GRADE framework and performed a critical appraisal with the AGREE II tool. RESULTS: Of the 86 CPGs, 34 were published in 2015, 21 in 2016 and 31 in 2017. Of the 86 CPGs, 25 (29%) used the GRADE framework; adherence to GRADE standards was, however, inconsistent and generally poor. The overall methodological quality by AGREE II proved a median of 16.6% (Min 16.6%, Max 50%). CONCLUSION: CPGs produced by CENETEC during this period had a poor adherence to the GRADE framework and low score by AGREE II standards. A concerted initiative could rapidly improve CENETEC guidelines.