Comparison of creatinine-based methods for estimating glomerular filtration rate in patients with heart failure

Anna Jonsson1, Ida Viklund2, Andreas Jonsson1

  • 1Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, S-901 87, Sweden.

ESC Heart Failure
|February 14, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Estimating glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using creatinine-based equations is inaccurate in heart failure (HF) patients. New methods are needed for precise eGFR assessment in HF management.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiology
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is crucial for managing heart failure (HF).
  • Creatinine-based equations are commonly used to estimate GFR (eGFR).
  • The accuracy of these equations in HF populations requires validation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To validate eight creatinine-based eGFR equations in a heart failure patient cohort.
  • To compare the performance of these equations against measured GFR (mGFR).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 146 HF patients with measured GFR (51Cr-EDTA clearance).
  • Evaluated eight eGFR equations: Cockcroft-Gault (ideal/actual weight), MDRD, simplified MDRD, CKD-EPI, Lund-Malmö, Full Age Spectrum, and BIS1.
  • Analyzed accuracy using Pearson's correlation coefficient and mean difference.

Main Results:

  • Mean measured GFR was 42 mL/min/1.73 m².
  • MDRD equation showed the highest precision (r=0.9), followed by revised Lund-Malmö (r=0.88).
  • All equations except MDRD overestimated renal function; accuracy was below 75% for all but MDRD.

Conclusions:

  • Creatinine-based eGFR equations demonstrate poor accuracy in heart failure patients.
  • Current methods are insufficient for reliable eGFR determination in this population.
  • Development of more accurate eGFR assessment tools for HF patients is warranted.
Abstract

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