Kevin Damman

Cardiologist

Kevin Damman is clinical cardiologist and head of the heart transplant and left ventricular assist device program at the University Medical Center Groningen. His research focuses on acute and advanced heart failure, with particular emphasis on the cardiorenal axis.

Contact details

Current research interests are focused on improving treatment of acute heart failure patients, including early assessment of effect of decongestive therapies, SGLT2-inhibition in (acute) heart failure and the role of the kidney in the process of cardiorenal interaction. He is principle investigator of the EMPA-RESPONSE-AHF study  on empagliflozin in acute heart failure and is part of the steering committee of the ADVOR trial investigating acetazolamide in acute heart failure. Dr Damman is associate editor of the European Journal of Heart Failure and serves as official European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Journals Twitter editor. Furthermore, he is member of the working groups on Cardiorenal Dysfunction and Acute Heart Failure from the Heart Failure Association of the ESC.

My publications

Evidence-Based Medical Therapy in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction and Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined by a reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a common comorbidity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). CKD is a significant risk factor for worse cardiovascular outcomes and is associated with more severe heart failure. Furthermore, when present, CKD often influences the decision to start, uptitrate, or discontinue possible life-saving HFrEF therapies. Historically pivotal HFrEF trials have excluded heart failure patients with CKD stage 4 and 5 (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Therefore, information on the efficacy and safety of HFrEF therapies in these patients is limited. More recent HFrEF trials with novel classes of drugs have included patients with more severe CKD. In this review, we show that for all-cause mortality and the combined endpoint of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization, most HFrEF drug classes are safe and effective up to CKD stage 3B (eGFR minimum 30 mL/min/1.73 m2). In HF patients with CKD stage 4 (eGFR 15 – 29 ml/min/1.73m2), evidence is available of efficacy and tolerability of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, and to a lesser extent in angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, vericiguat, digoxin and omecamtiv mecarbil, regarding the endpoint of cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization. In CKD stage 5 (eGFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or dialysis) data is lacking for both endpoints. After initiation of several HFrEF drug classes (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers/mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists/angiotensin receptor blocker neprilysin inhibitors/sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors), an initial decline in eGFR is frequently observed. However, renal function often stabilizes over time, and the drugs maintain their efficacy. In the context of a stable or improving clinical condition, a decline in eGFR should therefore not be a cause for concern and should not lead to discontinuation of life-saving HFrEF therapies.

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The kidney in heart failure: an update.

Damman K, Testani JM. Eur Heart J. 2015

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Time-to-Furosemide Treatment and Mortality in Patients Hospitalized With Acute Heart Failure.

Matsue Y, Damman K, Voors AA, Kagiyama N, Yamaguchi T, Kuroda S, Okumura T, Kida K, Mizuno A, Oishi S, Inuzuka Y, Akiyama E, Matsukawa R, Kato K, Suzuki S, Naruke T, Yoshioka K, Miyoshi T, Baba Y, Yamamoto M, Murai K, Mizutani K, Yoshida K, Kitai T. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017

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The use of diuretics in heart failure with congestion – a position statement from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology.

Mullens W, Damman K, Harjola VP, Mebazaa A, Brunner-La Rocca HP, Martens P, Testani JM, Tang WHW, Orso F, Rossignol P, Metra M, Filippatos G, Seferovic PM, Ruschitzka F, Coats AJ. Eur J Heart Fail. 2019

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Central venous pressure is associated with impaired renal function and mortality in a broad spectrum of patients with cardiovascular disease.

Damman K, Van Deursen VM, Navis G, Voors AA, Van Veldhuisen DJ, Hillege HL. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009

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