Worsening Renal Function in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Treated With Ultrafiltration: Predictors and Outcomes

Background: Ultrafiltration (UF) is used to treat patients with diuretic-resistant acute decompensated heart failure. The aim of this study was to identify predictors and the effect of worsening renal failure (WRF) on mortality in patients treated with UP. Methods and Results: Based on changes in serum creatinine, 99 patients treated with UF were divided into WRF and control groups. Overall creatinine increased from 1.9 +/- 9.7 to 2.2 +/- 2.0 mg/dL (P < .001), and WRF developed in 41% of the subjects. The peak UF rate was higher in the WRF group in univariate analysis (174 +/- 45 vs 144 +/- 42 mL/h; P = .03). Based on multivariate analysis, aldosterone antagonist treatment (odds ratio [OR] 3.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-13.46, P = .04), heart rate <= 65 beats/min (OR 6.03, 95% CI 1.48-48.42; P = .03), and E/E' >= 15 (OR 3.78, 95% CI 1.26-17.55; P = .04) at hospital admission were associated with WRF. Patients with baseline glomerular filtration rate (GFR) mg/dL who developed WRF during UP had a 75% 1-year mortality rate. Conclusions: WRF occurred frequently during UP. Increased LV filling pressures, lower heart rate, and treatment with aldosterone antagonist at hospital admission can identify patients at increased risk for WRF. Patients with baseline GFR mg/dL and WRF during UF have an extremely high 1-year mortality rate.