ESC Issues First Heart-Kidney Disease Guidelines — SkimNews
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- European Society of Cardiology released its first guidelines on managing cardiovascular disease alongside chronic kidney disease in collaboration with the European Renal Association, published in the European Heart Journal on September 5, 2026
- Kevin Damman emphasized that chronic kidney disease accelerates cardiovascular disease and vice versa, but recent advances in treatment can substantially reduce complications when applied early
- William Herrington stressed the importance of routine kidney function and urine albumin testing in patients with cardiovascular disease to identify at-risk individuals earlier
- Task Force introduced the 'STAMP on CKD' framework—Screen, Triage, Address CKD Risk, Modify CVD management, Plan health services—to standardize integrated care across specialties
- Guidelines recommend blood and urine tests (eGFR and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio) for all CVD patients at diagnosis to detect kidney abnormalities early
- Early use of RAS inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and statins is highlighted as particularly effective in slowing kidney disease progression and reducing cardiovascular events in dual-risk patients
- Patient version of the guidelines was developed to support shared decision-making, improve care experience, and engage patients and caregivers in multidisciplinary treatment planning
Why it matters: An estimated 100 million people in Europe have chronic kidney disease, which significantly raises their risk of heart disease. By integrating kidney screening into standard cardiac care and adjusting treatments accordingly, healthcare systems could delay or prevent dialysis and major cardiovascular events—reducing long-term costs and improving patient outcomes through a structured, cross-specialty approach.
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