Effect on Kidney Function Recovery Guiding Decongestion with VExUS in Patients with Cardiorenal Syndrome 1: A Randomized Control Trial.

INTRODUCTION: In cardiorenal syndrome type 1 (CRS1), vascular congestion is central to the pathophysiology of heart failure and thus a key target for management. The venous evaluation by ultrasound (VExUS) system could guide decongestion effectively and thereby improve outcomes. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, patients with CRS1 (i.e., increase in creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL) were randomized to guide decongestion with VExUS compared to usual clinical evaluation. The primary endpoint was to assess kidney function recovery (KFR), and the key secondary endpoint was decongestion evaluated by physical examination and changes in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and CA-125. Exploratory endpoints included days of hospitalization and mortality. RESULTS: From March 2022 to February 2023, a total of 140 patients were randomized 1:1 (70 in the VExUS and 70 in the control group). KFR was not statistically different between groups. However, VExUS improved more than twice the odds to achieve decongestion (odds ratio [OR]: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.9-3.0, p = 0.01) and the odds to reach a decrease of BNP >30% (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.3-4.1, p = 0.01). The survival at 90 days, recongestion, and CA-125 were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: In patients with CRS1, we observed that VExUS-guided decongestion did not improve the probability of KFR but improved the odds to achieve decongestion.

Systolic Blood Pressure and the Risk of Kidney Replacement Therapy and Mortality in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 4-5.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with chronic kidney disease stages 4 and 5 (CKD stages 4-5) without dialysis and arterial hypertension, it is unknown if the values of systolic blood pressure (SBP) considered in control (<120 mm Hg) are associated with kidney replacement therapy (KRT) and mortality. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, hypertensive CKD stages 4-5 patients attending the Renal Health Clinic at the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara were enrolled. We divided them into those that achieved SBP <120 mm Hg (controlled group) and those who did not (>120 mm Hg), the uncontrolled group. Our primary objective was to analyze the association between the controlled group and KRT; the secondary objective was the mortality risk and if there were subgroups of patients that achieved more benefit. Data were analyzed using Stata software, version 15.1. RESULTS: During 2017-2022, a total of 275 hypertensive CKD stages 4-5 patients met the inclusion criteria for the analysis: 62 in the controlled group and 213 in the uncontrolled group; mean age 61 years; 49.82% were male; SBP was significantly lower in the controlled group (111 mm Hg) compared to the uncontrolled group (140 mm Hg); eGFR was similar between groups (20.41 mL/min/1.73 m2). There was a tendency to increase the mortality risk in the uncontrolled group (HR 6.47 [0.78-53.27]; p = 0.082) and an association by the Kaplan-Meir analysis (Log-rank p = 0.043). The subgroup analysis for risk of KRT in the controlled group revealed that patients ≥61 years had a lower risk of KRT (HR 0.87 [95% CI, 0-76-0.99]; p = 0.03, p of interaction = 0.005), but no differences were found in the subgroup analysis for mortality. In a follow-up of 1.34 years, no association was found in the risk of KRT according to the controlled or uncontrolled groups in a multivariate Cox analysis. CONCLUSION: In a retrospective cohort of patients with CKD stages 4-5 and hypertension, SBP >120 mm Hg was not associated with risk of KRT but could be associated with the risk of death. Clinical trials are required in this group of patients to demonstrate the impact of reaching the SBP goals recommended by the KDIGO guidelines.

Urea Reduction in Acute Kidney Injury and Mortality Risk.

INTRODUCTION: Urea is a toxin present in acute kidney injury (AKI). We hypothesize that reduction in serum urea levels might improve clinical outcomes. We examined the association between the reduction in urea and mortality. METHODS: Patients with AKI admitted to the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. We create 4 groups of urea reduction ratio (UXR) stratified by their decrease in urea from the highest index value in comparison to the value on day 10 (0%, 1-25%, 26-50%, and >50%), or at the time of death or discharge if prior to 10 days. Our primary endpoint was to observe the association between UXR and mortality. Secondary observations included determination of which types of patients achieved a UXR >50%, whether the modality of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) effected changes in UXR, and if serum creatinine (sCr) value changes were similarly associated with patient mortality. RESULTS: A total of 651 AKI patients were enrolled. The mean age was 54.1 years, and 58.6% were male. AKI 3 was present in 58.5%; the mean admission urea was 154 mg/dL. KRT was started in 32.4%, and 18.9% died. A trend toward decreased risk of death was observed in association with the magnitude of UXR. The best survival (94.3%) was observed in patients with a UXR >50%, and the highest mortality (72.1%) was observed in patients achieving a UXR of 0%. After adjusting for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, CKD, antibiotics, sepsis, hypovolemia, cardio-renal syndrome, shock, and AKI stage, the 10-day mortality was higher in groups that did not achieve a UXR of at least 25% (OR: 1.20). Patients achieving a UXR >50% were most likely initiated on dialysis due to a diagnosis of the uremic syndrome or had a diagnosis of obstructive nephropathy. Percentage change in sCr was also associated with increased mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: In our retrospective cohort of AKI patients, the percent decrease in UXR from admission was associated with a stratified risk of death. Patients with a UXR >25% had the best associated outcomes. Overall, a greater magnitude in UXR was associated with improved patient survival.