Cystatin C in Acute Heart Failure Without Advanced Renal Impairment

Abstract Background The prognostic value of cystatin C relative to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study (MDRD) equation modified for Japan has not been investigated in acute heart failure patients with normal to moderately impaired renal function. More accurate detection of mild renal impairment might improve the risk stratification of heart failure patients, especially patients with normal to moderately impaired renal function. Methods Cystatin C and creatinine levels were measured on admission in 328 consecutive patients hospitalized for worsening chronic heart failure with a GFR estimated by MDRD equation modified for Japan ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . Results During a median follow-up period of 915 days, there were 52 (16%) cardiac deaths. In stepwise Cox regression analyses including cystatin C and GFR estimated by MDRD equation modified for Japan (either as continuous variables or as variables categorized into quartiles), cystatin C ( P Conclusion Measurements of cystatin C might improve early risk stratification compared with GFR estimated by MDRD equation modified for Japan in acute heart failure patients with normal to moderately impaired renal function.