Figure 2.

In cardio-renal syndromes, there are two important aspects: the first is the sequence of organ involvement and the second is the bi-directionality of signalling leading to a vicious cycle. Another important aspect is the time frame in which the derangements occur (chronic or acute). In all cases, there are moments in which prevention is possible, in others mitigation of the insult is potentially feasible, in others, therapeutic strategies must be implemented. At different times, a crucial role is played by imaging techniques and biomarkers enabling the clinician to make an early diagnosis, establish illness severity, and to potentially predict outcomes. This flowchart describes a series of conditions indicating that patients may move from one type to another of cardio-renal syndromes.