Background/Aims: Recent studies have shown high rates of morbimortality associated with hyperkalemia in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) plus spironolactone and the best predictor of this electrolytic disorder was a decrease in renal function. We aim to identify the incidence and predictors of acute renal failure (ARF) related to treatment with ACEI associated or not with spironolactone. Methods: We conducted a cohort study and followed 114 consecutive cases of CHF patients treated with ACEI at admission to a University Hospital. We performed measurements of serum creatinine and potassium levels three times a week, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures every 8 h, daily. Results: Among 114 patients, 25% developed ARF, 15% hyperkalemia and 3% severe hyperkalemia. Predictors of ARF were a decrease in average blood pressure 25 mm Hg (OR 18.2; 95% CI: 6.2, 53.5); class IV CHF (OR 4.7; 95% CI: 1.7, 12.7), diabetes (OR 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1, 6.4) and hypertension (OR 3.0; 95% CI: 1.2, 7.4). Conclusions: ARF and hyperkalemia are common complications in CHF patients after treatment with ACEI. Diabetic, hypertensive and class IV CHF patients who experienced a decrease in average blood pressure 25 mm Hg were more susceptible to ARF.
Since the publication of The Randomized Aldactone Study (RALES) in 1999, the association of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and spironolactone has been largely used for the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF). Although this study had shown a diminished morbimortality in patients with CHF that are treated with spironolactone and ACE inhibitors and a low risk (2%) of development of severe hyperkalaemia, other clinical studies have shown higher rates of hyperkalaemia and serious adverse clinical events culminating in death. Therefore, the identification of risk factors for the development of hyperkalaemia in CHF patients, close monitoring of serum potassium and determination of renal function before and after the initiation of combined therapy or after a dose increment, should be routinely performed. It is strongly recommended that these drugs be initiated in low doses and that the increment in dose should only occur after considering all safety issues.
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