Ultrafiltration (UF) is an alternative strategy to diuretic therapy for the treatment of patients with decompensated heart failure. The impact of UF in decompensated heart failure with renal insufficiency remains unclear. A literature search was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the use of UF in decompensated heart failure patients with renal insufficiency.
Seven RCTs with 569 participants were eligible for analysis. There was significantly more 48 hour weight loss (WMD 1.59, 95% CI 0.32 to 2.86; P = 0.01; I2 = 68%) and 48 hour fluid removal (WMD 1.23, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.82; P < 0.0001; I2 = 43%) in the UF group compared to the control group. Serum creatinine (WMD 0.05; 95% CI -0.23 to 0.33; P = 0.61; I2 = 77%) and serum creatinine changes (WMD 0.05; 95% CI -0.15 to 0.26; P = 0.61; I2 = 77%) were similar between the UF and control groups. All-cause mortality (OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.58 to 1.55; P = 0.83; I2 = 0.0%) and all-cause rehospitalization (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.49 to 1.92; P = 0.94; I2 = 52%) were also similar between the UF and control groups. Adverse events such as infection, anemia, hemorrhage, worsening heart failure, and other cardiac disorders did not differ significantly between the UF and control groups.
UF is an effective and safe therapeutic strategy and produces greater weight loss and fluid removal without affecting renal function, mortality, or rehospitalization in patients with decompensated heart failure complicated by renal insufficiency.