Prevalence and Risk Factors of Cardiorenal Syndrome in Heart Failure Patients: An Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Center

Background: Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) represents a complex bidirectional interaction between cardiac and renal dysfunction, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality in heart failure (HF) patients.Despite its clinical importance, limited data exist on its prevalence and risk factors in the Indian population.Objectives: To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes of CRS among HF patients admitted to a tertiary care center.Materials and methods: A hospital-based observational study was conducted from 2023 to 2024 at D. Y. Patil Hospital, Navi Mumbai, including 70 patients diagnosed with HF.Detailed demographic, clinical, and biochemical parameters were recorded.Cardiorenal syndrome diagnosis and classification were made according to established criteria.Patients were followed up for 6 months to assess outcomes.Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS v26.0, with p < 0.05 considered significant.Results: Of the 70 HF patients studied, 48 (68.5%) had CRS.The most common subtype was CRS type I (54.1%), followed by type II (35.4%).The mean age was 60.5 ± 15.6 years, with the majority (61.1%) aged 51-80 years.Cardiorenal syndrome was more prevalent in males (62.5%).Hypertension (63.9%), diabetes mellitus (50%), ischemic heart disease (43.1%), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (26.4%) were the predominant comorbidities.Smoking (47.2%) and alcohol use (34.7%) were additional risk factors.Clinically, pedal edema (77.8%), elevated jugular venous pressure (60%), and pallor (52.8%) were common findings.Biochemical abnormalities included elevated serum creatinine (mean 2.58 mg/dL), low HDL (35.4 mg/dL), and high triglycerides (172.6 mg/dL).Survival was 80%, with better outcomes observed in CRS patients undergoing PCI compared to CABG or thrombolysis.Conclusion: Cardiorenal syndrome is highly prevalent among HF patients (68.5%), with hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and CKD emerging as major risk factors.The predominance of CRS type I highlights the acute interplay between HF and renal dysfunction.Early recognition, risk factor modification, and individualized intervention strategies are critical to improving outcomes.