High prevalence of microalbuminuria in chronic heart failure patients

Background: Microalbuminuria is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the relation between microalbuminuria and chronic heart failure has not been well described yet. In this cross-sectional study, we aim to evaluate the prevalence of microalbuminuria and the association with neurohormonal parameters in severe chronic heart failure patients.Methods and Results: We studied 94 stable chronic heart failure patients (New York Heart Association class III/IV) receiving therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for over three months. In all patients, renal function and neurohormonal status were evaluated and correlated with urinary albumin/creatinine ratio. The studied population consisted of 70 men and 21 women (mean age 69 +/- 12 years). Ischemia was the underlying cause of heart failure in 61 patients. Overall, 100% of the patients were treated with an ACE inhibitor, 72% with a beta-blocker, and 47% with spironolactone. In 32% (95% confidence interval 22-42) of the patients, microalbuminuria was present, which is significantly higher than in the general population. However, we found no significant association between the presence of microalbuminuria and renal function. Plasma NT-proBNP, active renin protein, angiotensin I, angiotensin II, and aldosterone did not differ significantly between groups with and without microalbuminuria.Conclusion: In 32% of the patients, microalbuminuria was present. No association was found with either renal or neurohormonal parameters.