Early glomerular filtration rates changes and risk of mortality in acute heart failure. The modifying role of admission renal function and decongestion

Background: The pathophysiology of changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in acute heart failure (AHF) is complex and multifactorial. We evaluated the associated mortality risk of early changes in eGFR across baseline renal function on admission and early changes in natriuretic peptides in patients admitted with AHF.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 2,070 patients admitted with AHF. Renal dysfunction on admission was defined as eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m(2) and successful decongestion as NT-proBNP decreased >30% from baseline. We assessed the mortality risk associated with eGFR changes from baseline at 48-72 h after admission (Delta eGFR%) according to baseline renal function, and NT-proBNP changes at 48-72 h through Cox regression analyses. Results: The mean age was 74.4 +/- 11.2 years, and 930 (44.9%) were women. The proportion of admission eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m(2 )and 48-72 h changes in NT-proBNP>30% were 50.5% and 32.8%, respectively. At a median follow-up of 1.75 years, 928 deaths were registered. In the whole sample, changes in renal function were not associated with mortality (p = 0.208). The adjusted analysis revealed that the risk of mortality related to Delta eGFR% was heterogeneous across baseline renal function and changes in NT-proBNP (p-value for inter-action=0.003). Delta eGFR% was not associated with mortality in patients with baseline eGFR >= 60 ml/min/1.73m(2). In those with eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m(2), a decrease in eGFR was associated with higher mortality, particularly in those with a reduction in NT-proBNP<30%.Conclusion: In patients with AHF, early Delta eGFR% was associated with the risk of long-term mortality only in patients with renal dysfunction on admission and no early decline in NT-proBNP.

Automated summary

Early changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in acute heart failure (AHF) are only associated with long-term mortality in patients with renal dysfunction on admission and no early decline in natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP).