Association Between Biomarkers and Kidney Function Decline in Pulmonary Hypertension

PH is a severe, progressive disease associated with right ventricular dysfunction, right-sided heart failure (HF) and death. Kidney disease is present in approximately 35% of patients with PH, and its presence is associated with an enhanced risk for adverse outcomes, with the risk increasing incrementally with declining kidney function. Poor right ventricular function may increase venous congestion, alter ventricular interdependence, decrease effective cardiac output and activate the renin-angiotensin- aldosterone system, thereby aggravating kidney disease. There is a crucial need to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms linking the failing right heart and the kidney. To date, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of kidney disease in PH are lacking. The objective of this study is to examine the association between urinary and plasma biomarkers and change in eGFR among patients with PH.