Cardiorenal syndrome type 1: Renal dysfunction in acute decompensated heart failure

Objective: To present a review of cardiorenal syndrome type 1 (CRS1). Methods: Review of the literature. Results: Acute kidney injury occurs in approximately one-third of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and the resultant condition was named CRS1. A growing body of literature shows CRS1 patients are at high risk for poor outcomes, and thus there is an urgent need to understand the pathophysiology and subsequently develop effective treatments. In this review we discuss prevalence, proposed pathophysiology including hemodynamic and nonhemodynamic factors, prognosticating variables, data for different treatment strategies, and ongoing clinical trials and highlight questions and problems physicians will face moving forward with this common and challenging condition. Conclusion: Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology of this complex clinical entity and to develop effective treatments.