title: The cardiorenal syndrome: what the cardiologist needs to know.
abstract: Interactions between the heart and the kidneys are increasingly acknowledged among both cardiologists and nephrologists. The term cardiorenal syndrome now applies to the bidirectional nature of how disease in one organ system affects the function of the other organ system. Cardiovascular disease is a major threat to patients with chronic kidney disease, while renal dysfunction is prevalent in patients with cardiac disease and is a significant predictor of prognosis in cardiac patients. Still, renal patients with cardiac disease have largely been excluded from the clinical trials that have been the basis of modern cardiologic treatment. In this review, the current understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the cardiorenal syndrome and potential therapeutic implications will be summarized from a nephrologist's point of view. Probably, fragile cardiorenal patients will benefit from an enhanced collaboration between cardiologists and nephrologists to secure the best treatment given under safe conditions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Bård
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Waldum
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Os
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D059347:Cardio-Renal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000209:etiology; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D015415:Biomarkers; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists