Prognostic implications of renal dysfunction in patients with stable angina pectoris

Impaired renal function is emerging as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease. We analysed the prognostic implications of estimated renal function in patients with angina pectoris.

Post hoc analysis of the Angina Prognosis Study In Stockholm (APSIS). The estimated creatinine clearance (eCrCl) was calculated according to the Cockcroft-Gault formula in 808 patients. Outcomes were compared for subgroups with CrCl > or =90, 60-89 and<60 mL min(-1). Setting. Hospital-based study with patients referred from primary care and hospital.

A total of 809 patients (248 women) with clinically diagnosed stable angina pectoris. Intervention. Double-blind treatment with metoprolol or verapamil.

One hundred and sixty-four patients (91 women) had an eCrCl below 60 mL min(-1). During a median follow-up of 40 months, 38 patients suffered CV death and 31 patients had a nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI). In a univariate analysis a lower eCrCl was related to a higher risk for CV death or MI amongst men (log rank P = 0.036). A multivariate Cox analysis showed an independent prognostic importance of eCrCl for CV death (P = 0.046) and for CV death or MI (P = 0.042) amongst all patients. When analysed as a continuous variable, a 1 mL min(-1) decrease in eCrCl was associated with a 1.6% (0.1-3.1) increase in the risk for CV death or MI, and a 2.1% (0-4.1) increase in the risk for CV death alone.

Renal dysfunction was found to be common in patients with stable angina pectoris and estimated creatinine clearances carried significant independent prognostic information regarding CV death and nonfatal MI.