Abstract
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is an increasingly common and severe condition that confers substantial morbidity and mortality. In advanced CHF, progressive functional impairment of renal function and structural renal disease may eventually develop. This condition has been recognized and is increasingly referred to as one manifestation of the cardiorenal syndromes (CRS), particularly its subtypes 1 and 2. These are defined by either acute or chronic deterioration in renal function depending on the rate of progression of CHF. This review first briefly highlights important features of the epidemiology, pathophysiology and treatment of CHF, then defines and briefly describes the various cardiorenal syndromes and their unique features. Recent patents for diagnosis and treatment of the cardiorenal syndromes 1 and 2 are then presented in the patent review coverage section and summarized in a table. Patents and patent applications on pharmacotherapeutics including novel diuretic agents, natriuretic peptides, endothelin antagonists, vasodilators and renal drug delivery systems, vasopressin receptor antagonists, among other compounds are presented. In addition, device-based patents for renal sympathoadrenergic denervation or modulation, isolated transluminal renal perfusion, bio-artificial cellbased therapies and implantable fluid removal devices, among others, are a special focus of this review. Potential future developments are also touched upon in conclusion.
Keywords: Biomarkers, cardiorenal, cardiorenal syndrome, patents, renocardiac sydrome.
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