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Fenoldopam and acute renal failure in cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials
Alberto Zangrillo1, Giuseppe G L Biondi-Zoccai, Elena Frati
1Department of Anesthesia, Intensive Care, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
Objective:
Because at present no pharmacologic prevention or treatment of acute kidney injury seems to be available, the authors updated a meta-analysis to investigate the effects of fenoldopam in reducing acute kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, focusing on randomized placebo-controlled studies only.
Design:
A meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
Setting:
Hospitals.
Participants:
A total of 440 patients from 6 studies were included in the analysis.
Interventions:
None. The ability of fenoldopam to reduce acute kidney injury in the perioperative period when compared with placebo was investigated.
Measurements And Main Results:
Google Scholar and PubMed were searched (updated January 1, 2012). Authors and external experts were contacted. Pooled estimates showed that fenoldopam consistently and significantly reduced the risk of acute kidney injury (odds ratio [OR] = 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.74; p = 0.003), with a higher rate of hypotensive episodes and/or use of vasopressors (30/109 [27.5%] v 21/112 [18.8%]; OR = 2.09; 95% CI, 0.98-4.47; p = 0.06) and no effect on renal replacement therapy, survival, and length of intensive care unit or hospital stay.
Conclusions:
This analysis suggests that fenoldopam reduces acute kidney injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Because the number of the enrolled patients was small and there was no effect on renal replacement therapy or survival, a large, multicenter, and appropriately powered trial is needed to confirm these promising results.
Insights
Fenoldopam may reduce acute kidney injury (AKI) in cardiac surgery patients. However, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness and impact on survival and renal replacement therapy.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a significant complication following cardiac surgery.
- Currently, limited pharmacologic options exist for preventing or treating AKI.
- Fenoldopam, a dopamine receptor agonist, has been investigated for its potential renal protective effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials to evaluate the efficacy of fenoldopam in reducing AKI in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
- To synthesize existing evidence on fenoldopam's impact on perioperative AKI.
Main Methods:
- A systematic meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled studies.
- Included data from 6 studies encompassing 440 patients.
- Searched major databases including Google Scholar and PubMed, updated January 1, 2012.
Main Results:
- Fenoldopam significantly reduced the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) (OR = 0.41; p = 0.003).
- Increased rates of hypotension and vasopressor use were observed with fenoldopam.
- No significant effect was found on renal replacement therapy, survival, or length of hospital stay.
Conclusions:
- The meta-analysis suggests fenoldopam may be effective in reducing AKI in cardiac surgery patients.
- However, the small sample size and lack of impact on critical outcomes necessitate larger, well-powered trials.
- Further research is required to confirm these promising findings and establish fenoldopam's role in perioperative care.
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