Síndrome cardiorrenal: relación amor/odio / Cardiorrenal syndrome: love/hate relationship

RESUMEN

La disfunción cardíaca asociada al empeoramiento hemodinámico ocasiona la activación de mecanismos compensadores en los órganos sistémicos, desempeñando el riñón un papel central ya que regula la homeostasis de electrolitos y volumen. La retención de sodio y agua por el riñón puede deteriorar aun más la función cardíaca por incremento de la precarga y de la postcarga, dando lugar a un círculo vicioso que lleva a que la disfunción renal y cardíaca combinadas amplifiquen la progresión del fallo individual de cada órgano. Esto adquiere relevancia durante el tratamiento de la insuficiencia cardíaca (IC), circunstancia en la que se debe minimizar o evitar el deterioro de la función renal (FR). Cualquier grado de disfunción renal, aun leve, puede aumentar el riesgo cardiovascular y asociarse a mayor mortalidad en forma independiente de otros factores de riesgo. Podemos definir al síndrome cardiorrenal (SCR): como la falla renal que complica a la IC o como la IC que altera la FR. Hay diversos mecanismos involucrados en la fisiopatología del SCR: algunos relacionados a una inadecuada perfusión renal y otros debidos a enfermedad renal intrínseca

ABSTRACT

Heart failure (HF) associated to haemodynamic worsening activates compensatory mechanisms in systemic organs of which the kidney plays a key role by regulating electrolyte and volume homeostasis. Sodium and water retention may worsen cardiac function even further by increasing pre-load and after-load pressures which, in turn, leads renal and cardiac dysfunctions combined to enhance the progression of failure in each individual organ. This should be kept in mind in treating HF symptoms when renal function deterioration should be avoided or minimized. Any degree of renal dysfunction, though mild, may increase cardiovascular risks and become associated to higher mortality rates independently of other risk factors. The cardiorenal Syndrome (CRS) may be defined as either renal failure complicating HF, or as HF altering renal function. Several mechanisms have been implicated in the pathophysiology of CRS; some of them are related to insufficient renal perfusion and others to intrinsic kidney disease. Renal dysfunction in HF is not exclusively accounted for by hemodynamic alterations. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS), nitric oxide balance/ oxygen reactive species (ORS), inflammation, and the sympathetic nervous system, all play a complex role in the pathophysiology of this process. All such variables might be interrelated and be held responsible for accelerated atherosclerosis, remodeling, left atrial hypertrophy, and the progression of renal disease. Future directions are oriented towards the development of new pharmacological agents displaying a variety of effects on renal hemodynamic processes and tubular function. Aggressive measures such as an earlier use of dialysis and ultrafiltration and, ultimately, left ventricular assist devices are expected to improve outcome in this population. The protection of renal function is the therapeutic goal for HF patients