[The Cardiorenal Syndrome]

Abstract

In patients with chronic cardio renal syndrome chronic heart disease coexists with chronic kidney disease and poses the patients to a specifically high risk for cardiovascular events and mortality. Treatment recommendations in this condition with a high level of evidence are sparse. Mainstay of therapy in cardiorenal syndrome is fluid metabolism control and stabilization of renal and cardiac function, which can basically been achieved by substances modifying the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system as well as diuretics. Noteworthy, despite inducing short-term decreases in renal function, inhibition of the RAAS and diuretic medication associate with the long-term improvements of outcome (so-called pseudo-worsening of renal function). The chronic cardiorenal syndrome calls for interdisciplinary care by both nephrologists and cardiologists in order to allow high-end patient care with a maximum of beneficial effect and a minimum of treatment-related side effects.