Abstract:

Cardiorenal syndrome encompasses a spectrum of disorders affecting both the heart and kidneys, wherein acute or chronic dysfunction in one organ can induce acute or chronic dysfunction in the other. This reflects the interconnected interactions between the heart and kidneys at multiple interfaces. These include hemodynamic cross-talk between a failing heart and the kidney’s response, as well as changes in neurohormonal markers and molecular inflammatory signatures characteristic of its clinical phenotypes. The mission of this scientific statement is to describe the epidemiology and pathogenesis of cardiorenal syndrome within the context of the evolving clinical-pathological descriptions over the last decade. It also discusses diagnostic and therapeutic strategies applicable to cardiorenal syndrome, summarizes interactions between the heart and kidneys in special populations, such as diabetic patients and kidney transplant recipients, and highlights the role of palliative care for patients with cardiorenal syndrome. Finally, it emphasizes the need to establish a curriculum in cardiorenal therapy to guide future trials and address clinical and research needs in this important area.