Prevalence And Mortality Of Patients with Cardiorenal Syndrome: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is characterised by acute or chronic dysfunction of the heart or kidneys resulting in acute or chronic dysfunction in the other organ. These two organs which are interrelated physiologically, may often affect each other under pathological states. Hence, we set forth to investigate the prevalence and mortality rate of CRS in patients with heart failure or acute coronary syndrome and acute kidney injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science up until 31 December 2022. Statistical analysis was conducted using Cochrane Review Manager v5.4. Pooled prevalence and the overall mortality rate were calculated using the random effect models and generic inverse variance method.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies which fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in this meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of cardiorenal syndrome in patients with heart failure or acute coronary syndrome was 32% (95% CI, 0.23–0.41; P=<0.00001; I ²=95%). Furthermore, the overall prevalence of cardiorenal syndrome in patients with acute kidney injury was 15% (95% CI, 0.02–0.29; P=<0.00001; I ²=97%). In addition, the overall mortality rate of cardiorenal syndrome was 28% (95% CI, 0.18–0.35; P=<0.00001; I ²=95%).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of CRS in patients with heart failure or acute coronary syndrome (32%) is higher compared to the prevalence of CRS in patients with acute kidney injury (15%). Additionally, CRS had high overall mortality rate, which requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.