Decongestion in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease coexisting with heart failure.

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are closely interconnected conditions. Congestion, a central element in HF and CKD pathophysiology, progresses from haemodynamic changes to pulmonary oedema, with asymptomatic pulmonary congestion and an isolated increase in brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) as an intermediate step. Management strategies include sodium restriction, diuretics and emerging technologies for fluid monitoring. Diuretics, while essential, present challenges such as resistance and side effects, necessitating combination therapies and alternatives, like SGLT-2 inhibitors and, in special cases, ultrafiltration. Personalized approaches are critical to improving clinical outcomes in HF and CKD.