Urea Reduction in Acute Kidney Injury and Mortality Risk.

INTRODUCTION: Urea is a toxin present in acute kidney injury (AKI). We hypothesize that reduction in serum urea levels might improve clinical outcomes. We examined the association between the reduction in urea and mortality. METHODS: Patients with AKI admitted to the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. We create 4 groups of urea reduction ratio (UXR) stratified by their decrease in urea from the highest index value in comparison to the value on day 10 (0%, 1-25%, 26-50%, and >50%), or at the time of death or discharge if prior to 10 days. Our primary endpoint was to observe the association between UXR and mortality. Secondary observations included determination of which types of patients achieved a UXR >50%, whether the modality of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) effected changes in UXR, and if serum creatinine (sCr) value changes were similarly associated with patient mortality. RESULTS: A total of 651 AKI patients were enrolled. The mean age was 54.1 years, and 58.6% were male. AKI 3 was present in 58.5%; the mean admission urea was 154 mg/dL. KRT was started in 32.4%, and 18.9% died. A trend toward decreased risk of death was observed in association with the magnitude of UXR. The best survival (94.3%) was observed in patients with a UXR >50%, and the highest mortality (72.1%) was observed in patients achieving a UXR of 0%. After adjusting for age, sex, diabetes mellitus, CKD, antibiotics, sepsis, hypovolemia, cardio-renal syndrome, shock, and AKI stage, the 10-day mortality was higher in groups that did not achieve a UXR of at least 25% (OR: 1.20). Patients achieving a UXR >50% were most likely initiated on dialysis due to a diagnosis of the uremic syndrome or had a diagnosis of obstructive nephropathy. Percentage change in sCr was also associated with increased mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: In our retrospective cohort of AKI patients, the percent decrease in UXR from admission was associated with a stratified risk of death. Patients with a UXR >25% had the best associated outcomes. Overall, a greater magnitude in UXR was associated with improved patient survival.

Probiotics in septic acute kidney injury, a double blind, randomized control trial.

INTRODUCTION: During acute kidney injury (AKI) due to sepsis, the intestinal microbiota changes to dysbiosis, which affects the kidney function recovery (KFR) and amplifies the injury. Therefore, the administration of probiotics could improve dysbiosis and thereby increase the probability of KFR. METHODS: In this double-blind clinical trial, patients with AKI associated with sepsis were randomized (1:1) to receive probiotics or placebo for 7 consecutive days, with the objectives of evaluate the effect on KFR, mortality, kidney replacement therapy (KRT), urea, urine volume, serum electrolytes and adverse events at day 7. RESULTS: From February 2019 to March 2022, a total of 92 patients were randomized, 48 to the Probiotic and 44 to Placebo group. When comparing with placebo, those in the Probiotics did not observe a higher KFR (HR 0.93, 0.52-1.68, p = 0.81), nor was there a benefit in mortality at 6 months (95% CI 0.32-1.04, p = 0.06). With probiotics, urea values decreased significantly, an event not observed with placebo (from 154 to 80 mg/dl, p = 0.04 and from 130 to 109 mg/dl, p = 0.09, respectively). Urinary volume, need for KRT, electrolyte abnormalities, and adverse events were similar between groups. (ClinicalTrial.gov NCT03877081) (registered 03/15/2019). CONCLUSION: In AKI related to sepsis, probiotics for 7 consecutive days did not increase the probability of KFR, nor did other variables related to clinical improvement, although they were safe.

Resultados obstétricos y perinatales en gestaciones tras técnicas de reproducción asistida / Obstetrical and perinatal outcomes in pregnancies after assisted reproductive techniques

Material y Métodos: estudio observacional retrospectivo que compara 704 gestaciones conseguidas tras técnicas de reproducción asistida en el periodo 2008-2012 (grupo estudio), con 2.507 gestaciones espontaneas (grupo control). Resultados: mayor riesgo de gestaciones múltiples en el grupo estudio 24,3% contra 1% del grupo control p < 0,001 RR 25,5 (17,3-37,6). El parto fue a las 37,79 semanas en grupo estudio y 38,99 grupo control p < 0,001. Manteniéndose las diferencias en gestaciones únicas con una media de 38,5 en grupo estudio y 39 en grupo control p < 0,001. Niños prematuros en grupo estudio 23,2%, contra 6,2% grupo control p < 0,001 RR 4,5 (3,6-5,8). Reduciéndose a la mitad el riesgo relativo cuando solo comparamos gestaciones únicas. Cesarea en 52% gestaciones por técnicas de reproducción asistida, contra 18,6% en gestaciones espontaneas p < 0,001 RR 2,85 (2,56-3,22). Manteniéndose diferencias comparando gestaciones únicas 15,6% en grupo estudio y 18,3% grupo control. No encontramos diferencias en el sexo del recién nacido. La tasa de bajo peso al nacer también fue mayor en grupo estudio 23,8% contra 7,97% grupo control p < 0,001 RR 3,6 (2,8-4,5); manteniéndose diferencias en gestaciones únicas con 11% recién nacido de bajo peso contra 5,8% p < 0,001 RR 2 (1,46-2,8). Malformaciones congénitas mayor en grupo control 9,45% respecto grupo estudio 3,69%. Conclusiones: la gestación tras técnicas de reproducción asistida presenta 25 veces más riesgo de gestación múltiple; las madres son 5 años más añosas; 4,5 veces más riesgo de tener un parto pretérmino; 2 veces mayor si comparamos gestaciones únicas; 3 veces más de tener recién nacido de bajo peso, el doble si comparamos gestaciones únicas; cesárea en más del doble tanto gestaciones únicas como en total gestaciones (AU)

Material and Methods: Retrospective observational study comparing outcomes of 704 pregnancies after assisted reproductive techniques 2008-2012 (study group), with 2507 spontaneous pregnancies (control group). Results: There are difference in outcome between assisted reproductive techniques (study group) and naturally conceived pregnancies (control group). We found differences in increased risk of multiple pregnancies in the study group 24.3% to 1% of control group p < 0.001 RR 25.5 (17.3-37.6). Mean weeks in which the delivery occurred study group was 37.79 and 38.99 in the control group p < 0.001. Maintaining differences when only singleton pregnancies compared with an average of 38.5 in the study group and control group 39 weeks p < 0.001. In the study group are at higher risk of preterm birth with 23.2% versus 6.2% control group, p < 0.001 RR 4.5 (3.6-5.8). Reduced to half the relative risk when compared only single pregnancies. Cesarean was performed in 52% of pregnancies by assisted reproductive techniques, while it was 18.6% incidence of spontaneous pregnancies p < 0.001 RR 2.85 (2.56-3.22). He maintained even comparing differences singleton pregnancies in both groups with 15.6% in the study group and 18.3% control group. Without differences in sex of newborns. The rate low birth weight was also higher in the study group 23.8% vs control group 7.97% p < 0.001 RR 3.6 (2.8-4.5); maintaining differences in single pregnancies with 11% low birth weight against 5.8%, study group against control group, p < 0.001 RR 2 (1.46-2.8); Although increased incidence of congenital malformations in the control group 9.45% from 3.69% in the study group. Conclusions: These results suggest that assisted reproductive techniques is associated with increased risk of multiple pregnancy, delivery preterm, higher risk of low birth weight (< = 2500g), and more cesarean section. The increased risk of preterm, low birth weight, and cesarean persisted in singleton pregnancies (AU)

Diagnóstico prenatal de otocefalia. Importancia de la ecografía de primer trimestre en el diagnóstico de las dismorfias faciales / Prenatal diagnosis of otocephaly. Importance of first trimester ultrasound in the diagnosis of facial dysmorphia

La otocefalia es una malformación congénita rara y en la mayoría de casos letal, caracterizada por la presencia de agnatia, microstomia, aglosia y melotia. La mayoría de los casos reportados en la literatura corresponden a diagnósticos prenatales tardíos. Reportamos a continuación un caso de otocefalia diagnosticado en la exploración ecográfica de primer trimestre. La ecografía es la herramienta diagnóstica de elección desde el primer trimestre de la gestación, permitiendo un diagnóstico precoz de las malformaciones craneo-faciales y un mejor manejo prenatal (AU)

Otocephaly is a rare congenital facial dysmorphia with a poor prognosis, characterised by the presence of agnathia, microstomia, aglossia and melotia. Most of the cases reported until now are second and especially late third trimester diagnosis. We report a case of prenatal detection of otocephaly at the first trimester ultrasound scan: the case was diagnosed at 13 weeks’ gestation and confirmed at autopsy. Currently, first-trimester ultrasound allowed the detection of this and other malformations, obtaining an early suspected diagnosis and enabling to perform invasive diagnostic tests to obtain information necessary to convey to the patient (AU)