Hemodynamic and biological correlates of glomerular hyperfiltration in sickle cell patients before and under renin-angiotensin system blocker

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 3;11(1):11682. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-91161-y.

Abstract

Glomerular hyperfiltration alone or associated with albuminuria is a well-known feature of sickle cell associated nephropathy. Though, glomerular hyperfiltration is currently considered to be related to a high renal plasma flow and chronic hemolysis, cardiac output influence on measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) have not been investigated so far. Thirty seven homozygous sickle cell patients (SCA) from the RAND study investigated before and under angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) were included. Both mGFR and cardiac index (CI) were high (> 110 ml/min/1.73 m2 and > 3.5 l/m2 in 81% and 97% of cases) with low systemic vascular resistance (SVR) (< 700 dynes/s/cm-5) in 38% of cases. mGFR association with CI and SVR were significant at baseline (respectively ρ: 0.44, p = 0.008 and ρ: - 0.37, p = 0.02) and under ACEI (p = 0.007 and 0.01 respectively), in accordance with previous data showing that hyperfiltration was linked to an increased glomerular perfusion and a glomerulomegaly rather than increased capillary hydrostatic pressure. Of notice, after adjustment on CI, mGFR remained associated with reticulocyte count and albuminuria under ACEI (p = 0.006 and 0.02 respectively). Our results suggest that hyperfiltration is tightly linked to an increased cardiac output which may account for an increased renal blood flow. Chronic hemolysis could be a relevant factor accounting for hyperfiltration potentially acting on glomerular enlargement which appears as a key factor. Our data suggest that cardiac output assessment is a relevant tool in the routine management and monitoring of SCA nephropathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / blood*
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / complications*
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers
  • Female
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate* / drug effects
  • Hemodynamics* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnosis
  • Kidney Diseases / drug therapy
  • Kidney Diseases / etiology*
  • Kidney Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Kidney Glomerulus / drug effects
  • Kidney Glomerulus / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Renin-Angiotensin System / drug effects
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Biomarkers