Urinary proteins in heart failure

Abstract

Renal insufficiency is common in patients with heart failure (HF), with both acute kidney injury and worsening renal function being associated with poor prognosis. The interplay between cardiac and renal failure has been termed the cardiorenal syndrome and is currently the subject of intense investigation. Urinary biochemistry has several advantages over blood or serum analyses, including lower costs, better patient comfort, and higher sensitivity to renal injury. However, urinalysis is currently not part of routine daily practice in cardiology. Recent advances in proteomics have allowed identification of numerous novel urinary biomarkers, many of which show promise in HF populations. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of both traditional and novel urinary biomarkers, examining evidence for diagnostic and prognostic value in HF as well as potential clinical utility.