Central Venous Pressure and Impaired Renal Function in Children and Young Adults With Cardiovascular Disease

Background: Traditionally, low cardiac output has been considered the primary hemodynamic driver of renal function and injury. Adult data suggest that central venous pressure (CVP) is a more important factor.

Objectives: The authors hypothesized that in children with cardiovascular disease, higher CVP predicts lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and worsening renal function (WRF).

Methods: We performed a single-center cohort study of patients aged 3 months to 21 years with biventricular circulation undergoing cardiac catheterization. Pearson's correlation and linear and Cox regression analyses were performed to determine associations with eGFR at the time of catheterization and WFR within 180 days after catheterization.

Results: 312 patients had median age 7.9 years (IQR: 2.3 to 14.5 years), median eGFR 97 mL/min/1.73 m² (IQR: 81-118 mL/min/1.73 m²), median CVP 7 mm Hg (IQR: 5-9 mm Hg), and median cardiac index 3.7 mL/min/m² (IQR: 2.9-4.6 mL/min/m²). Nearly half (48%) were transplant recipients. In multivariable analysis, CVP was independently associated with eGFR (β = -2.65; 95% CI: -4.02, -1.28; P < 0.001), as was being a transplant recipient (β = -10.20; 95% CI: -17.74, -2.65; P = 0.008), while cardiac index was not. Fifty-one patients (16%) developed WRF. In a proportional hazards model adjusting for cardiac index, only higher CVP (HR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.04-1.17; P = 0.002) and greater contrast volume by weight (HR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01-1.10; P = 0.021) predicted WRF. CVP ≥7 mm Hg likewise predicted WRF (HR: 2.57; 95% CI: 1.29-5.12; P = 0.007).

Conclusions: Among children with a spectrum of cardiovascular disease, higher CVP is associated with lower eGFR and development of WRF, independent of cardiac index.