Journal Article

Integrating Novel Biomarkers into Clinical Practice: A Practical Framework for Diagnosis and Management of Cardiorenal Syndrome

Stratinaki, Maria, Hamilos, Michael, Aletras, Georgios, Pantazis, Yannis, Bachlitzanaki, Maria, Stylianou, Kostas, Petrakis, Ioannis, Foukarakis, Emmanuel, Lamprogiannakis, Emmanuel

2025

Overview

Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) reflects the intricate and bidirectional interplay between cardiac and renal dysfunction, commonly resulting in diagnostic uncertainty, therapeutic dilemmas and poor outcomes. While traditional biomarkers like serum creatinine (Cr) and natriuretic peptides remain widely used, their limitations in specificity, timing and contextual interpretation often hinder optimal management. This narrative review synthesizes the current evidence on established and emerging biomarkers in CRS, with emphasis on their clinical relevance, integration into real-world practice, and potential to inform precision therapy. Markers of glomerular filtration rate beyond creatinine—such as cystatin C—offer more accurate assessment in frail or sarcopenic patients, while tubular injury markers such as NGAL, KIM-1, and urinary L-FABP (uL-FABP) provide early signals of structural renal damage. The FDA-approved NephroCheck® test—based on TIMP-2 and IGFBP7— enables risk stratification for imminent AKI up to 24 h before functional decline. Congestion-related markers such as CA125 and bio-adrenomedullin outperform natriuretic peptides in certain CRS phenotypes, particularly in right-sided heart failure or renally impaired patients. Fibrosis and inflammation markers (galectin-3, sST2, GDF-15) add prognostic insights, especially when combined with NT-proBNP or troponin. Rather than presenting biomarkers in isolation, this review proposes a framework that links them to specific clinical contexts—such as suspected decongestion-related renal worsening or persistent congestion despite therapy—to support actionable interpretation. A tailored, scenario-based, multi-marker strategy may enhance diagnostic precision and treatment safety in CRS. Future research should prioritize prospective biomarker-guided trials and standardized pathways for clinical integration.

• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Subject: Adrenomedullin / Biological markers / Biomarkers / cardiorenal syndrome / Cardiovascular diseases / Clinical medicine / clinical practice / Clinical trials / Complications and side effects / Congestion / Congestive heart failure / Creatinine / Cystatin C / Diagnosis / Fatty acid-binding protein / Fibrosis / Galectin-3 / Glomerular filtration rate / Health aspects / Heart failure / Hemodynamics / Identification and classification / inflammation / Kidney diseases / Literature reviews / Metabolism / Multiple organ failure / novel biomarkers / Patients / Peptides / Phenotypes / Physiological aspects / Renal function / Risk factors / Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 / Troponin / tubular injury