Management of acute coronary syndrome in chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Few trials have addressed the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hence guidelines for the management of coronary heart disease (CHD) in CKD are based on meta-analysis, subgroup analyses, small prospective studies or retrospective analyses of controlled trials and registry data. The short-term as well as long-term prognosis of ACS patients with poor renal function is worse than those with normal renal function. The risk of cardiovascular (CV) events and mortality is inversely proportional to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Nevertheless, CV event rates increase even in early CKD. Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) occurs in 15% of patients following diagnostic or therapeutic invasive procedures; less than 1% of these require dialysis. While treatment of CIN is not so effective, it is predictable and can be largely prevented. Despite a higher risk of adverse outcomes, patients with moderate-severe CKD are often treated less aggressively than patients with normal renal function due to safety concerns. Patients with CKD are less likely to receive aspirin, clopidogrel, or beta blockers and are less likely to undergo reperfusion or revascularization. Conservative treatment of ACS may partially account for worse outcome in CKD. Large registry data suggests that in-hospital revascularization is associated with improved survival, irrespective of eGFR. It is not clear whether coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) leads to better outcomes in patients suitable for either procedure. While short-term risk of CABG in CKD is high, its long-term results have been better than medical treatment or PCI in registry data. Recent data suggest no differentials in outcomes with CABG or PCI. Randomized controlled trials involving patients with renal dysfunction are needed to confirm whether aggressive treatment of ACS will improve clinical outcomes.