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Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blocker (ACE-I/ARB) improve outcomes in patients with heart failure and reduced left-ventricular (LV) systolic function. However, these medications can cause a rise in serum creatinine and their benefits in patients with HF accompanied by kidney disease are less certain. Objective: To characterize associations between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), patterns of ACE-Is and ARBs use, and 1-year survival following hospitalization for heart failure (HF). Design: We formed a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted with HF and followed HF medication prescriptions using the pharmaceutical information network, stratified by discharge eGFR. Setting: Cardiology services in 3 centers in Southern Alberta, Canada. Patients: The study cohort included patients admitted to hospital with a clinical diagnosis of HF. Measurements: eGFR was determined from inpatient laboratory data prior to discharge. Outpatient prescription data prior to and following the index hospitalization was obtained using the Pharmaceutical Information Network of Alberta and survival was determined from provincial vital statistics. Methods: Characteristics of the HF cohort were obtained from the Admissions Module of the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcome Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease (APPROACH) database. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the association between time-varying ACE-I/ARB use, and mortality, and to test whether eGFR modified this association. Results: Totally, 1404 patients were included. Within the first 3 months following discharge, ACE-I/ARBs were used in 71%, 67%, 62%, and 52% for those with eGFR > 90, 45-89, 30-44, and < 30 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , respectively, with differences in use persisting after 1 year of follow-up. Patients with eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m 2 had significantly lower rates of ACE-I/ARB use following hospitalization. In adjusted models, ACE-I/ARB use following discharge was associated with 25% lower risk of mortality (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61-0.92; P < 0.01), without evidence that this association differed by eGFR ( P = 0.75). Limitations: LV function measurements were not available for the cohort. Due to the observation design of the study, treatment-selection bias may be present. Conclusion: Patients with HF and reduced eGFR at time of hospital discharge were less likely to receive ACE-I/ARB despite these medications being associated with lower mortality independent of eGFR. These findings demonstrate the need for further research on strategies for safe use of ACE-I and ARB in patients with HF and kidney disease.

Background: The outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI) are well appreciated. However, valid indicators of high quality processes of care for AKI after major surgery are lacking. Objectives: To identify indicators of high quality processes of care related to AKI prevention, identification, and management after major surgery. Design: A three stage modified Delphi process. Setting: The study was conducted in Alberta, Canada using an online format. Participants: A panel of care providers from surgery, critical care, and nephrology. Measurements: The degree of validity of candidate indicators were rated by panelists on a 7-point Likert scale that ranged from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”. Methods: A focused literature review was performed to identify candidate indicators. A modified Delphi process, with three rounds, was used to obtain expert consensus on the validity of potential process of care quality indicators. Results: Thirty-three physicians participated (6 from surgery, 10 from critical care, and 17 from nephrology). A list of 58 potential process of care quality indicators for AKI after surgery was generated including 28 indicators from the initial literature review and 30 indicators suggested by panelists. Following the third round of questioning, 40 process of care indicators were identified with a high level of agreement for face validity; 16 of these reached high consensus among all panelists. Limitations: The consensus of panelists from Alberta, Canada may not be generalizable to other settings. The modified Delphi process did not focus on the feasibility of measuring these process indicators. Conclusions: These indicators can be used to measure and improve the quality of care for AKI after major surgery.

Purpose of review: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common after major surgery, and is associated with morbidity, mortality, increased length of hospital stay, and high health care costs. Although recent guidelines for AKI provide recommendations for identification of patients at risk, monitoring, diagnosis, and management of AKI, there is lack of understanding to guide successful implementation of these recommendations into clinical practice. Sources of information: We held a planning meeting with multidisciplinary stakeholders to identify barriers, facilitators, and strategies to implement recommendations for prevention, early identification, and management of AKI after major surgery. Barriers and facilitators to knowledge use for peri-operative AKI prevention and care were discussed. Findings: Stakeholders identified barriers in knowledge (how to identify high-risk patients, what criteria to use for diagnosis of AKI), attitudes (self-efficacy in preventive care and management of AKI), and behaviors (common use of diuretics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, withholding of intravenous fluids, and competing time demands in peri-operative care). Educational, informatics, and organizational interventions were identified by stakeholders as potentially useful elements for future interventions for peri-operative AKI. Limitation: Meeting participants were from a single centre. Implications: The information and recommendations obtained from this stakeholder's meeting will be useful to design interventions to improve prevention and early care for AKI after major surgery.