Is there still a role for ultrafiltration in the management of acute heart failure? CARRESS and beyond.

The Cardiorenal Rescue Study in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (CARRESS-HF) trial was a prospective, randomized study comparing ultrafiltration versus pharmacological therapy in the treatment of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) complicated by cardiorenal syndrome Bart et al. (N Eng J Med 367:2296-2304, 1). The study found that ultrafiltration was inferior to pharmacological therapy, resulting in a significant increase in serum creatinine and serious adverse events while producing no significant difference in weight loss. The CARRESS trial calls into question the viability of ultrafiltration as a preferable treatment strategy in ADHF patients with cardiorenal syndrome.