Via practica 12/2008

MANAGEMENT OF THE PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEART FAILURE AND DECREASED RENAL FUNCTION

The prevalence of chronic heart failure and renal insufficency is increasing. The association of heart failure and kidney disease is in the literature described as a “cardiorenal syndrome“. The cardiorenal syndrome has common risk factors of cardiovascular and renal impairment. One of the main principals of the non-pharmacological treatment of the cardiorenal syndrome patients is control of the fluid and salt intake. For the medical therapy of the patients with heart failure and decreased renal function it is necessary to use drug with the evidence of the cardioprotective properties and knowledge of its pharmacokinetics. Management of the patients with the cardiorenal syndrome is realized with the interdisciplinary approach based on the cooperation of cardiologist and nephrologist.

Keywords: chronic heart failure, impared renal function, non-pharmacological treatment, pharmacotherapy