Cardiorenal outcomes after slow continuous ultrafiltration therapy in refractory patients with advanced decompensated heart failure.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical outcomes of using slow continuous ultrafiltration (SCUF) in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (HF) refractory to intensive medical therapy.


BACKGROUND
Several studies have demonstrated the clinical usefulness of early SCUF in patients with acute decompensated HF to improve fluid overload and hemodynamics.


METHODS
We reviewed clinical data from 63 consecutive adult patients with acute decompensated HF admitted to the Heart Failure Intensive Care Unit from 2004 through 2009 who required SCUF because of congestion refractory to hemodynamically guided intensive medical therapy.


RESULTS
The mean creatinine level was 1.9 ± 0.8 mg/dl on admission and 2.2 ± 0.9 mg/dl at SCUF initiation. After 48 hours of SCUF, there were significant improvements in hemodynamic variables (mean pulmonary arterial pressure: 40 ± 12 mm Hg vs. 33 ± 8 mm Hg, p = 0.002, central venous pressure: 20 ± 6 mm Hg vs. 16 ± 8 mm Hg, p = 0.007, mean pulmonary wedge pressure: 27 ± 8 mm Hg vs. 20 ± 7 mm Hg, p = 0.02, Fick cardiac index: 2.2 l/min/m(2) [interquartile range: 1.87 to 2.77 l/min/m(2)] vs. 2.6 l/min/m(2) [interquartile range: 2.2 to 2.9 l/min/m(2)], p = 0.0008), and weight loss (102 ± 25 kg vs. 99 ± 23 kg, p < 0.0001). However, there were no significant improvements in serum creatinine levels (2.2 ± 0.9 mg/dl vs. 2.4 ± 1 mg/dl, p = 0.12) and blood urea nitrogen (60 ± 30 mg/dl vs. 60 ± 28 mg/dl, p = 0.97). Fifty-nine percent required conversion to continuous hemodialysis during their hospital course, and 14% were dependent on dialysis at hospital discharge. Thirty percent died during hospitalization, and 6 patients were discharged to hospice care.


CONCLUSIONS
In our single-center experience, SCUF after admission for acute decompensated HF refractory to standard medical therapy was associated with high incidence of subsequent transition to renal replacement therapy and high in-hospital mortality, despite significant improvement in hemodynamics.
Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Maria
M
Patarroyo
Edgard
E
Wehbe
Mazen
M
Hanna
David O
DO
Taylor
Randall C
RC
Starling
Sevag
S
Demirjian
W H Wilson
WH
Tang
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006440:Hemofiltration / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014462:Ultrafiltration / Q000379:methods