Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: The FAERC Study.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and its presence is associated with a higher risk of stroke and mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The FAERC study performed a retrospective multicentre analysis of historical cohorts in which data were collected from arrhythmia diagnosis onwards. RESULTS: We analysed a Spanish cohort of 4749 patients with CKD (mean eGFR 33.9 mL/min) followed up in the nephrology clinic, observing a 12.2% prevalence of non-valvular AF. In total, 98.6% of these patients were receiving anticoagulant treatment, mainly with coumarins (79.7%). Using direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) was associated with fewer cerebrovascular events than using acenocoumarol, but in contrast with other studies, we could not corroborate the association of risk of bleeding, coronary events, or death with a type of anticoagulant prescribed. CONCLUSIONS: Atrial fibrillation is highly prevalent in renal patients. Direct-acting anticoagulants seem to be associated with fewer ischemic-embolic complications, with no differences in bleeding, coronary events, or mortality rates.

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Clinical Assessment of Rapid Progression.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) causes the development of renal cysts and leads to a decline in renal function. Limited guidance exists in clinical practice on the use of tolvaptan. A decision algorithm from the European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) Working Groups of Inherited Kidney Disorders and European Renal Best Practice (WGIKD/ERBP) has been proposed to identify candidates for tolvaptan treatment; however, this algorithm has not been assessed in clinical practice. METHODS: Eighteen-month cross-sectional, unicenter, observational study assessing 305 consecutive ADPKD patients. The ERA-EDTA WGIKD/ERBP algorithm with a stepwise approach was used to assess rapid progression (RP). Subsequently, expanded criteria based on the REPRISE trial were applied to evaluate the -impact of extended age (≤55 years) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; ≥25 mL/min/1.73 m2). RESULTS: Historical eGFR decline, indicative of RP, was fulfilled in 26% of 73 patients who were candidates for RP assessment, mostly aged 31-55 years. Further tests including ultrasound and MRI measurements of kidney volume plus genetic testing enabled the evaluation of the remaining patients. Overall, 15.7% of patients met the criteria for rapid or likely RP using the algorithm, and the percentage increased to 27% when extending age and eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: The ERA-EDTA WGIKD/ERBP algorithm provides a valuable means of identifying in routine clinical practice patients who may be eligible for treatment with tolvaptan. The impact of a new threshold for age and eGFR may increase the percentage of patients to be treated.