Albumin Excretion and Heart Failure

A newly identified independent risk factor warrants further study.

Elevated urinary albumin excretion (UAE) predicts mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes or hypertension. Heart failure involves generalized inflammation, vascular injury, abnormal renal perfusion, and renal tubular abnormalities, any of which can cause albuminuria; however, the relation between albuminuria and heart failure outcomes has not been explored.

These investigators studied 2310 adults with heart failure (mean age, 66; 67% men; 42% with LV ejection fractions >40%; 37% with diabetes; 66% with hypertension) who participated in the industry-sponsored CHARM trial of candesartan versus placebo. Thirty percent of participants had microalbuminuria (urinary albumin to creatinine ratios [UACRs] of 2.5–25.0 mg/mmol for…

Reviewing Author

Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBristol Myers Squibb; CPC Clinical Research

Grant/Research SupportNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; American College of Cardiology Self-Assessment Program (SAP)

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican College of Cardiology (Chair, Innovations Committee)