Chronic kidney disease and acute myocardial infarction: the story after 1 year

When chronic kidney disease (CKD) is part of the clinical history for a patient with acute myocardial infarction, the interventional cardiologist experiences an increased anxiety level. An acute myocardial infarction with renal disease requires more attention to dye load and fluid status, and general opinion exists regarding the negative outcomes of these “sicker” patients. Mark Navarro and colleagues completed a thorough study from a different angle. We know the interventionalists’ concerns are justified acutely as these CKD patients have a higher level of inpatient complications, but these authors chose to look at the patients 1 year from their event to determine if a relationship existed between CKD and the patients’ health status. In the current climate of patient centered care and outcomes, the study is very timely