A Case of Significant Improvement of Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction With a Small Dose of Candesartan in a Hemodialysis Patient With Hypertensive Heart Disease and Nephrosclerosis

Abstract

Hypertension induces vascular damage followed by organ damage, including heart failure in hypertensive heart disease (HHD) and nephrosclerosis (the resultant renal pathologic change from long-standing hypertension affecting renal vascular supply), ultimately causing renal failure. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors are well known as effective drugs for the treatment of hypertension and the anti-remodeling of affected organs. A 52-year-old male was evaluated. Right atrophic kidney and proteinuria were noted in his high school years; however, he had no symptoms for about 35 years. He had pollakiuria in November and oliguria and leg edema in December 2020. The edema deteriorated rapidly, and general fatigue and orthopnea emerged in January 2021. Anasarca, hypertension (198/151 mmHg), tachycardia (115/minute), and hypoxemia (oxygen saturation {SpO₂} of 93%) were observed on admission. A bilateral pleural effusion and pulmonary congestion were found on a chest X-ray (CXR) examination. An echocardiogram showed a 22% left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF). Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine concentrations were 70 mg/dL and 6.05 mg/dL, respectively. He was diagnosed with nephrosclerosis and HHD-induced cardiac exhaustion. Hemodialysis was started in April 2021. Even though the dry weight was decreased by draining water, cardiomegaly (cardiothoracic ratio {CTR}: 60%), low LVEF (20%-30%), and hypertension, especially diastolic hypertension (140-150/100-120 mmHg), were sustained. After 2 mg of candesartan was added in November 2021, the cardiomegaly, blood pressure (BP), and LVEF were rapidly ameliorated. The CTR and LVEF recovered to 48.5% and 60%, respectively, in April 2022. Statistical analyses showed that the independent factors for CTR were the mean monthly diastolic BP (standard partial regression coefficient {[Formula: see text]}: 0.9058, p<0.0001) and candesartan ([Formula: see text]: -0.7389, p=0.0011) in vital signs and prescribed drugs, respectively. We experienced a case of a significant effect of candesartan treatment against heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) caused by HHD in a hemodialysis patient with nephrosclerosis. Statistical analyses suggested that the improvement of HFrEF resistant to fluid removal by hemodialysis was presumably due to a decrease in diastolic BP caused by a small dose of candesartan.

Keywords: candesartan; diastolic hypertension; heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; hemodialysis; hypertensive heart disease; nephrosclerosis.