BACKGROUNDRenal insufficiency (RI) is significantly associated with clinical prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF), but direct evidences on the relation between renal function and clinical outcome in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are limited. The aim of the current study was to systematically evaluate the association of baseline and 6-month renal function with cardiac reverse remodeling and long-term outcome after CRT.

METHODSWe retrospectively evaluated 190 consecutive patients who underwent CRT at Fuwai Hospital from January 2008 to April 2013. Renal function tests, echocardiographic measurement, and clinical parameters at baseline and after 6 months of CRT were performed. Primary endpoint events included all-cause mortality, cardiac transplantation, and unplanned hospitalizations for HF.

RESULTSAt baseline, compared with normal renal function or mild RI (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2)), moderate-to-severe RI (eGFR <60 ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2)) exerted a negative influence on cardiac reverse remodeling parameters. At 6-month follow-up, 114 (60.0%) patients were classified as responders and showed significant renal function improvement, whereas renal function deteriorated in non-responders and subsequently 41 (25.6%) patients developed worsening renal function (WRF). During the mean follow-up of (24.3±17.1) months, both patients with baseline eGFR <60 ml×min(-1)×1.73 m(-2) and those with WRF experienced worse event-free survival (P < 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSThis analysis identified that baseline eGFR as well as WRF after CRT were found to be independent determinants of the combined endpoints of all-cause mortality and HF-related hospitalizations in CRT recipients.