Association between reduced renal function and cardiovascular mortality in patients hospitalized with infection: A...

Infection is one of the main reasons for hospitalization worldwide, and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. It is unclear whether this association is modified by the presence of reduced renal function. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and cardiovascular mortality in patients hospitalized with infection.

This cohort study included all adult, incident patients who were hospitalized at one of four hospitals in China between 2012 and 2015, had a discharge diagnosis of infection, and had a serum creatinine measurement at admission. Patients receiving renal replacement therapy were excluded. Hospital data were linked to death registry data. All-cause and cardiovascular mortality were evaluated according to admission eGFR [≥60 (reference), 30-59 and < 30 mL/min/1.73m²] using multivariable Cox regression and competing risk analyses.

During a median follow-up period of 2.39 years, 40,524 patients were hospitalized with infection (mean age 61 years, 54.3% female 18.4% diabetic). Of these, 4781 died. Lower admission eGFR was associated with progressively increased risks of cardiovascular mortality (≥60 mL/min/1.73m² reference; 30-59 mL/min/1.73m² subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] 2.15, 95% CI 1.85-2.50, P< .01; <30 mL/min/1.73m² SHR 3.19, 95% CI 2.68-3.80, P < .01). The proportion of deaths due to cardiovascular disease increased as the eGFR decreased, predominantly due to ischemic heart disease.

Patients hospitalized with infections and reduced renal function have significantly increased risks of cardiovascular mortality. Heart status should be carefully monitored following infections, especially for those with reduced renal function.