Assessment of Proximal Tubular Function by Tubular Maximum Phosphate Reabsorption Capacity in Heart Failure

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a crucial parameter in heart failure. Much less is known about the importance of tubular function. We addressed the effect of tubular maximum phosphate reabsorption capacity (TmP/GFR), a parameter of proximal tubular function, in patients with heart failure.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: We established TmP/GFR (Bijvoet formula) in 2085 patients with heart failure and studied its association with deterioration of kidney function (>25% eGFR decrease from baseline) and plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) doubling (baseline to 9 months) using logistic regression analysis and clinical outcomes using Cox proportional hazards regression. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of sodium-glucose transport protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibition by empagliflozin on tubular maximum phosphate reabsorption capacity in 78 patients with acute heart failure using analysis of covariance.

RESULTS: Low TmP/GFR (<0.80 mmol/L) was observed in 1392 (67%) and 21 (27%) patients. Patients with lower TmP/GFR had more advanced heart failure, lower eGFR, and higher levels of tubular damage markers. The main determinant of lower TmP/GFR was higher fractional excretion of urea (P<0.001). Lower TmP/GFR was independently associated with higher risk of plasma NGAL doubling (odds ratio, 2.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 4.66; P=0.04) but not with deterioration of kidney function. Lower TmP/GFR was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 2.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.37 to 5.73; P=0.005), heart failure hospitalization (hazard ratio, 2.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.08 to 4.88; P=0.03), and their combination (hazard ratio, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 3.36; P=0.03) after multivariable adjustment. Empagliflozin significantly increased TmP/GFR compared with placebo after 1 day (P=0.004) but not after adjustment for eGFR change.

CONCLUSIONS: TmP/GFR, a measure of proximal tubular function, is frequently reduced in heart failure, especially in patients with more advanced heart failure. Lower TmP/GFR is furthermore associated with future risk of plasma NGAL doubling and worse clinical outcomes, independent of glomerular function.