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Published on: April 12, 2021
Mitigating Risk of Kidney Dysfunction After Heart Transplantation and Therapeutic Approaches
Ersilia M DeFilippis1, Richard K Cheng2, Elena M Donald1
1Department of Medicine, Center for Advanced Cardiac Care, Division of Cardiology, New York Presbyterian-Columbia University Irving Medical Center (E.M. DeFilippis, E.M. Donald).
Insights
Kidney dysfunction after heart transplantation (HT) is a growing concern, impacting patient survival. This review explores kidney injury risks, mitigation strategies, and future directions for heart transplant recipients.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Medicine
Background:
- Kidney dysfunction is a significant complication following heart transplantation (HT), leading to increased morbidity and mortality.
- The incidence of acute and chronic kidney dysfunction is rising post-2018 US allocation system, linked to mechanical support use and altered recipient profiles.
- Existing nephroprotective therapies for chronic kidney disease in heart failure patients show promise, but data in HT recipients are emerging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology of kidney dysfunction after heart transplantation.
- To examine mitigation strategies for acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease in HT recipients.
- To discuss the need for kidney transplantation post-HT and outline future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of existing studies on kidney dysfunction post-heart transplantation.
- Critical analysis of epidemiological data, risk factors, and outcomes.
- Evaluation of current and emerging pharmacotherapeutic and non-pharmacotherapeutic interventions.
Main Results:
- Kidney dysfunction is a prevalent and increasing issue after heart transplantation.
- Recipient and perioperative factors significantly influence the risk of kidney injury.
- Emerging data suggest potential benefits of certain nephroprotective agents in HT recipients.
Conclusions:
- Kidney dysfunction poses a substantial threat to heart transplant recipients, necessitating focused attention.
- Proactive strategies for preventing and managing kidney injury are crucial.
- Further research is needed to optimize kidney care and transplantation outcomes in this population.
Abstract:
Kidney dysfunction after heart transplantation (HT) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recipient and perioperative factors may all influence the risk of kidney injury. Furthermore, data suggest that the incidence of kidney dysfunction, both acute and chronic, is increasing after the implementation of the United States' 2018 allocation system due to increasing use of temporary mechanical circulatory support and changing recipient characteristics. While data are robust regarding nephroprotective therapies such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition and SGLT2i (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors) to minimize the progression of chronic kidney disease in patients with heart failure, data in HT recipients are beginning to emerge. This state-of-the-art review will critically examine the existing literature regarding the epidemiology of kidney dysfunction after HT, mitigation strategies for acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, including pharmacotherapeutics, the need for kidney transplantation after HT, and practical next steps for the larger HT community.
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