Heart Failure in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Literature Review (2015–2025)

Introduction: Congestive heart failure (CHF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) often coexist, forming the cardiorenal syndrome. When the heart and kidneys fail simultaneously, the risk of death and hospitalizations increases sharply, far exceeding what is observed in each condition alone. In the past decade, therapeutic advances for CHF have had limited reach in patients with chronic kidney disease, as clinical trials often exclude those in advanced stages of CKD. Understanding the true impact of this association and the most recent therapeutic options is therefore essential for clinicians, cardiologists, and nephrologists. Objective: To conduct a systematic literature review on congestive heart failure in patients with chronic kidney disease in stages 3 to 5. Methodology: This is a literature review on congestive heart failure (CHF) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), using articles found in the PubMed, Cochrane, and Scielo databases. Conclusion: Patients with CHF and CKD represent a very high-risk population but already have treatments available that offer simultaneous protection to both the heart and kidneys. The underrepresentation of advanced CKD in clinical trials reinforces the need for specific research to guide decision-making in dialysis and pre-dialysis patients.