Cardiorenal syndrome

Heart failure generates the activation of compensating mechanisms among which the kidney plays a central role, since it regulates homeostasis and hydroelectrolytic circulating volume. The sodium and water renal retention increases by action of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin system, but can adversely affect heart function by increasing the preload and afterload, resulting in a vicious circle that may provoke heart and renal failure, regarded as Cardiorenal Syndrome. The harmful interactions of the heart and renal pathologies rise with the age of patients. A new cardiorenal interactions classification and several laboratory procedures has been proposed for clinical evaluation.