Decongestion strategies and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation in acute heart failure

Robert J. Mentz, Susanna R. Stevens, Adam D. DeVore, Anuradha Lala, Justin M. Vader, Omar F. AbouEzzeddine, Prateeti Khazanie, Margaret M. Redfield, Lynne W. Stevenson, Christopher M. O'Connor, Steven R. Goldsmith, Bradley A. Bart, Kevin J. Anstrom, Adrian F. Hernandez, Eugene Braunwald, G. Michael Felker

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

102 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between biomarkers of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation and decongestion strategies, worsening renal function, and clinical outcomes. Background: High-dose diuretic therapy in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) is thought to activate the RAAS; and alternative decongestion strategies, such as ultrafiltration (UF), have been proposed to mitigate this RAAS activation. Methods: This study analyzed 427 AHF patients enrolled in the DOSE-AHF (Diuretic Optimization Strategies in Acute Heart Failure) and CARRESS-HF (Cardiorenal Rescue Study in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure) trials. We assessed the relationship between 2 markers of RAAS activation (plasma renin activity [PRA] and aldosterone) from baseline to 72 h and 96 h and decongestion strategy: high- versus low-dose and continuous infusion versus bolus furosemide for DOSE-AHF and UF versus stepped pharmacologic care for CARRESS-HF. We determined the relationships between RAAS biomarkers and 60-day outcomes. Results: Patients with greater RAAS activation at baseline had lower blood pressures, lower serum sodium levels, andhigher blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration. Continuous infusion furosemide and UF were associated with greater PRA increases (median:+1.66 vs.+0.66 ng/ml/h with continuous vs. bolus infusion, respectively, p= 0.021;+4.05 vs.+0.56 ng/ml/h with UF vs. stepped care, respectively, p= 0.014). There were no significant differences in RAAS biomarker changes with high- versus low-dose diuretic therapy (both: p > 0.5). Neither baseline log PRA nor log aldosterone was associated with increased death or HF hospitalization (hazard ratio [HR] for a doubling of 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98 to 1.13; p= 0.18; and HR: 1.13; 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.28; p= 0.069, respectively). The change in RAAS biomarkers from baseline to 72 and 96 h was not associated with outcomes (both: p > 0.5). Conclusions: High-dose loop diuretic therapy did not result in RAAS activation greater than that with low-dose diuretic therapy. UF resulted in greater PRA increase than stepped pharmacologic care. Neither PRA nor aldosterone was significantly associated with short-term outcomes in this cohort. (Determining Optimal Dose and Duration of Diuretic Treatment in People With Acute Heart Failure [DOSE-AHF]; NCT00577135; Effectiveness of Ultrafiltration in Treating People With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Cardiorenal Syndrome [CARRESS]; NCT00608491).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)97-107
Number of pages11
JournalJACC: Heart Failure
Volume3
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation.

Keywords

  • Acute heart failure
  • Cardiorenal syndrome
  • Decongestion
  • Diuretics
  • Outcomes
  • RAAS activation
  • Ultrafiltration

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