Association between stillbirth and severe maternal morbidity.

BACKGROUND: Severe maternal morbidity has been increasing in the past few decades. Few studies have examined the risk of severe maternal morbidity among individuals with stillbirths vs individuals with live-birth deliveries. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the prevalence and risk of severe maternal morbidity among individuals with stillbirths vs individuals with live-birth deliveries during delivery hospitalization as a primary outcome and during the postpartum period as a secondary outcome. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study using birth and fetal death certificate data linked to hospital discharge records from California (2008-2018), Michigan (2008-2020), Missouri (2008-2014), Pennsylvania (2008-2014), and South Carolina (2008-2020). Relative risk regression analysis was used to examine the crude and adjusted relative risks of severe maternal morbidity along with 95% confidence intervals among individuals with stillbirths vs individuals with live-birth deliveries, adjusting for birth year, state of residence, maternal sociodemographic characteristics, and the obstetric comorbidity index. RESULTS: Of the 8,694,912 deliveries, 35,012 (0.40%) were stillbirths. Compared with individuals with live-birth deliveries, those with stillbirths were more likely to be non-Hispanic Black (10.8% vs 20.5%); have Medicaid (46.5% vs 52.0%); have pregnancy complications, including preexisting diabetes mellitus (1.1% vs 4.3%), preexisting hypertension (2.3% vs 6.2%), and preeclampsia (4.4% vs 8.4%); have multiple pregnancies (1.6% vs 6.2%); and reside in South Carolina (7.4% vs 11.6%). During delivery hospitalization, the prevalence rates of severe maternal morbidity were 791 cases per 10,000 deliveries for stillbirths and 154 cases per 10,000 deliveries for live-birth deliveries, whereas the prevalence rates for nontransfusion severe maternal morbidity were 502 cases per 10,000 deliveries for stillbirths and 68 cases per 10,000 deliveries for live-birth deliveries. The crude relative risk for severe maternal morbidity was 5.1 (95% confidence interval, 4.9-5.3), whereas the adjusted relative risk was 1.6 (95% confidence interval, 1.5-1.8). For nontransfusion severe maternal morbidity among stillbirths vs live-birth deliveries, the crude relative risk was 7.4 (95% confidence interval, 7.0-7.7), whereas the adjusted relative risk was 2.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.8-2.3). This risk was not only elevated among individuals with stillbirth during the delivery hospitalization but also through 1 year after delivery (severe maternal morbidity adjusted relative risk, 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.4; nontransfusion severe maternal morbidity adjusted relative risk, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.3). CONCLUSION: Stillbirth was found to be an important contributor to severe maternal morbidity.

Periaortitis Secondary to Evar: Case Report and Literature Review.

CLINICAL IMPACT: Even if periaortitis secondary to EVAR is a very rare complication, it is important for the surgeon to know this possible rare complication and its characteristics, in order to immediately recognize it and treat it adequately to avoid complications.

SOX4 silencing alleviates renal injury in rats with acute renal failure by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a huge threat to the lives of most patients in intensive care units, and there is currently no satisfactory treatment strategy. SRY-box transcription factor 4 (SOX4) plays a key role in the development of various diseases, but its effect on ARF is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between SOX4 and ARF. Blood samples were collected from 20 ARF patients and 20 healthy volunteers. We also established an ARF rat model by excising the right kidney and ligating the left renal artery, and SOX4 knockdown in ARF rats was achieved down by means of lentiviral infection. Subsequently, we used quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western bolt assays to detect the expression levels of SOX4 and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway-related proteins in human blood or rat renal tissue and hematoxylin and eosin and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end labeling staining to observe the pathological changes and apoptosis of renal tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and biochemical kits were used to measure the levels of renal function-related indicators (blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) and inflammatory factors (interleukin [IL]-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha), as well as changes in oxidative stress-related indicators (malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and reactive oxygen species [ROS]) in rat serum. SOX4 expression levels in blood samples from ARF patients and renal tissue from ARF rats were significantly higher compared with those in healthy volunteers and control rats, respectively. ARF model rats displayed the typical ARF phenotype, while SOX4 silencing significantly improved pathological injury and apoptosis of renal tissue in ARF rats. Moreover, SOX4 silencing significantly inhibited increased levels of renal function-related indicators and inflammatory factors and reduced the level of excessive oxidative stress (MDA and ROS were upregulated, and SOD was downregulated) in ARF rats. SOX4 also reduced the activity of the NF-κB signaling pathway in ARF samples. Thus, SOX4 knockdown may reduce oxidative stress, the inflammatory response, and apoptosis by reducing the activity of the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby improving renal injury in ARF rats.

Estimating baseline creatinine levels based on the kidney parenchymal volume.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) diagnosis often lacks a baseline serum creatinine (Cr) value. Our study aimed to create a regression equation linking kidney morphology to function in kidney donors and chronic kidney disease patients. We also sought to estimate baseline Cr in minimal change disease (MCD) patients, a common AKI-predisposing condition. METHODS: We analyzed 119 participants (mean age 60 years, 50% male, 40% donors) with CT scans, dividing them into derivation and validation groups. An equation based on kidney parenchymal volume (PV) was developed in the derivation group and validated in the validation group. We estimated baseline Cr in 43 MCD patients (mean age 45 years, 61% male) using the PV-based equation and compared with their 6 month post-MCD onset Cr values. RESULTS: In the derivation group, the equation for the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was: eGFR (mL/min/1.73m2) = 0.375 × PV (cm3) + (- 0.395) × age (years) + (- 2.93) × male sex + (- 13.3) × hypertension + (- 14.0) × diabetes + (- 0.210) × height (cm) + 82.0 (intercept). In the validation group, the eGFR and estimated Cr values correlated well with the measured values (r = 0.46, p = 0.01; r = 0.51, p = 0.004, respectively). In the MCD group, the baseline Cr values were significantly correlated with the estimated baseline Cr values (r = 0.52, p < 0.001), effectively diagnosing AKI (kappa = 0.76, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The PV-based regression equation established in this study holds promise for estimating baseline Cr values and diagnosing AKI in patients with MCD. Further validation in diverse AKI populations is warranted.

Sepsis associated acute kidney injury is common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with septic shock and has poor outcomes: A nested cohort study.

Exploration of the incidence and outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) broadly, and sepsis associated AKI specifically, in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) people has been limited. We compared a nested cohort of First Nations people drawn from a multinational randomised controlled trial of hydrocortisone in septic shock, to a cohort matched for age, sex and severity of illness. Acute Kidney Injury was defined using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria, as well as incident use of kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Major Adverse Kidney Events (MAKE) were described as the composite of death, new dialysis requirement or persisting kidney dysfunction at hospital discharge. A cohort of 57 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients with septic shock was identified. 91.2% (52) of the First Nations cohort met KDIGO criteria for Stage 1 AKI or greater and 63% (36) met Stage 3 criteria. 59.6% (34) of the First Nations required dialysis as compared to 45.6% (26) in the matched cohort. 60.7% (34) of First Nations participants met criteria for MAKE at hospital discharge. The proportions requiring dialysis at 6, 12 and 24 months were 8.3%, 9.1% and 6.9% respectively. The incidences of AKI and MAKE reported in this First Nations cohort are substantially higher than in previously published cohorts of patients with sepsis, even those that use sensitive definitions of AKI. Measures to promote better management of infectious diseases in First Nations communities are required.

To bite the hand that feeds you: A case of thrombotic microangiopathy due to Tiger snake bite.

This report details the case of a 51-year-old man with a Tiger snake bite who developed systemic envenomation, coagulopathy and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) requiring renal replacement therapy. He received plasma exchange as additional therapy while awaiting confirmation of the cause of the TMA. We discuss clinical decision making in detection of systemic envenomation and management of the rare complication of TMA, as well as current Australian guidelines around antivenom administration. This is the fourth known documented case of TMA from a Tiger snake bite in Australia.

Spontaneous rupture of bladder diverticulum with pseudo renal failure:A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous or non-traumatic bladder rupture is rare but can be life-threatening. Bladder rupture caused by a diverticulum is extremely rare, with only a few case reports in medical literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 32-year-old woman admitted to hospital complaints of abdominal pain, oliguria and ascites with no history of trauma. Laboratory tests revealed an elevated serum urea nitrogen(UN) level of 33.5 mmol/l and an elevated creatinine levels of 528 umol/l. X-ray cystography confirmed the rupture of a bladder diverticulum. Subsequent transurethral catheterization led to a prompt increase in urinary output, and serum creatinine level returned to 40 umol/l within 48 h. The patient was successfully treated with laparoscopic diverticulectomy. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should maintain a high level of suspicion for urinary bladder rupture in cases presenting with acute lower abdominal pain, urinary difficulties, and oliguria. When acute renal failure, complicated ascites, and an elevated peritoneal fluid creatinine or potassium level exceeding serum levels are observed, intraperitoneal urine leakage should be suspected without delay. This case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in managing this rare but serious condition.

Acute renal failure after kidney transplantation due to mizoribine-induced ureteral stones.

INTRODUCTION: Mizoribine (MZR) is used to prevent rejection reactions after kidney transplantation and increase the risk of hyperuricemia. There is a lack of reports of MZR-induced ureteral stones after kidney transplantation. The surgery treatment of ureteral stones in transplanted kidney is a challenging clinical issue that should only be performed by experienced urologists at professional centers. It is very important to have a thorough understanding of the patient's medical history, analyze the causes of stone formation, and choose a reasonable treatment plan based on the characteristics of the stones. The case report is aim to emphasize the recognition of the possibility of mizoribine-induced ureteral uric acid stones in transplanted kidney and to avoid unnecessary surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: A patient after kidney transplantation was diagnosed with acute renal failure caused by ureteral stones. The medical history, CT images of the renal graft, the results of laboratory test and stone composition analysis were provided. Based on medical history and laboratory test results, it was determined that the ureteral stones of renal graft was induced by MZR. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of MZR-induced stones in transplanted kidney and ureters. It was completely cured by urinary alkalinization, avoiding surgery treatment. We summarize the characteristics, treatment and methods for preventing the formation of uric acid stones of patients with MZR. CONCLUSION: By analyze our case report, it shows that acute renal failure with ureteral stones after kidney transplantation can caused by MZR. Urinary alkalinization for MZR induced uric acid stones is simple and effective.

The elevated lactate dehydrogenase to albumin ratio is a risk factor for developing sepsis-associated acute kidney injury: a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: There is no evidence to determine the association between the lactate dehydrogenase to albumin ratio (LAR) and the development of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SAKI). We aimed to investigate the predictive impact of LAR for SAKI in patients with sepsis. METHODS: A total of 4,087 patients with sepsis from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC IV) database were included. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the association between LAR and the risk of developing SAKI, and the relationship was visualized using restricted cubic spline (RCS). The clinical predictive value of LAR was evaluated by ROC curve analysis. Subgroup analysis was used to search for interactive factors. RESULTS: The LAR level was markedly increased in the SAKI group (p < 0.001). There was a positive linear association between LAR and the risk of developing SAKI (p for nonlinearity = 0.867). Logistic regression analysis showed an independent predictive value of LAR for developing SAKI. The LAR had moderate clinical value, with an AUC of 0.644. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was identified as an independent interactive factor. The predictive value of LAR for the development of SAKI disappeared in those with a history of CKD but remained in those without CKD. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated LAR 12 h before and after the diagnosis of sepsis is an independent risk factor for the development of SAKI in patients with sepsis. Chronic comorbidities, especially the history of CKD, should be taken into account when using LAR to predict the development of AKI in patients with sepsis.

A case of heavy-chain deposition disease with good long-term renal survival and a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease (MIDD) is characterized by the deposition of nonamyloid monoclonal immunoglobulin and its free fragment light chain and/or heavy chain in systemic tissues and organs, and the kidney is most vulnerable organs. MIDD can be divided into three types: light-chain deposition disease (LCDD), light and heavy chain deposition disease (LHCDD), and heavy-chain deposition disease (HCDD), of which LHCDD and HCDD are rarer (Bridoux et al. in Kidney Int 2015;87:698-711; Preud'homme et al. in Kidney Int 1994;46:965-72). Poor outcome in most HCDD, but in this paper, we will report a case of HCDD with good long-term renal survival and review the literature for reference. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old man presented to our department with skin laxity and nephritic syndrome, accompanied by an significant increase of serum creatinine and received short-term hemodialysis treatment. Both the blood and urine free light chain ratio increased significantly. Renal biopsy showed mesangial nodular glomerulosclerosis on light microscopy, and immunofluorescence staining showed positivity for γ-heavy chain (HC), with negative light chain (LC) staining; the diagnosis was considered HCDD. After six courses of bortezomib combined with dexamethasone chemotherapy and thalidomide 100 mg/day, the renal function gradually recovered, while also with proteinuria and hematuria significantly improved. The blood and urine free light chain ratio decreased to normal. Until now, the patient has been followed for four years, and long-term renal survival has been observed. CONCLUSION: Herein, we report a case presenting with proteinuria, hematuria, renal impairment, and skin laxity, and a renal biopsy showed linear IgG deposition in the glomerular basement membranes and tubular basement membrane. However, they ultimately proved to have HCDD. Bortezomib combined with dexamethasone, and oral thalidomide led to a good long-term renal survival. We also provide a review of currently available literature, and this is the first large-scale review summarizing the characteristics of HCDD up to date.

Evaluating the McMahon score for predicting mortality in earthquake-induced rhabdomyolysis: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: In natural disasters like earthquakes, building collapses can trap individuals, causing crush syndrome and rhabdomyolysis. This life-threatening condition often leads to acute kidney injury. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of the McMahon score in predicting mortality due to rhabdomyolysis in patients affected by the earthquake. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study. In this study, the clinical and laboratory data of patients who presented to the emergency department due to the earthquake were analyzed. The McMahon score was calculated by evaluating factors such as creatine kinase, serum creatinine levels, age, and gender. RESULTS: The study included 151 patients, of whom 74 (49.0%) were male and 77 (51.0%) were female. In the univariate model, significant (P < .05) effectiveness was observed in differentiating between patients with and without mortality for McMahon score and the risk of acute kidney injury. At a McMahon score cutoff of 6, significant effectiveness was also observed, with an area under the curve of 0.723. At this cutoff value, the sensitivity was 80.0% and the specificity was 64.5%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the McMahon score in emergency medicine and disaster management plays a crucial role in rapid decision-making processes due to its effectiveness in predicting mortality.

Frailty among Stroke Patients and its Effects on Hospital Outcomes: Frailty among Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Although assessment of frailty is increasingly being included in routine practice, its effects on hospital outcomes is not well studied. In this study, we used a national database to estimate the effects of frailty on hospital outcomes among stroke patients. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of data from Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database collected during the years 2016 to 2019. Adult patients 45 years and older with a primary diagnosis of stroke were included for the analysis. Primary outcome was frequency of frailty among stroke patients. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, prolonged length of stay, mechanical ventilation, and acute renal failure. Frailty levels were assessed by using the Hospital Frailty Risk Score (HFRS). RESULTS: Among 2,031,085 stroke hospitalizations, 362,140 (17.8%) were non-frail, 1,333,000 (65.6%) were pre-frail, and 335,945 (16.6%) were frail. Regression analysis showed that the odds of mortality were significantly higher among frail (aOR, 2.82, 95% CI: 2.63-3.04) and pre-frail (aOR, 1.62, 95% CI: 1.53-1.73) patients, compared to non-frail patients. Similarly, the odds of mechanical ventilation were significantly higher among frail (aOR, 9.72, 95% CI: 8.84-10.69) and pre-frail (aOR, 3.41, 95% CI: 3.12-3.73) patients. The odds of acute renal failure were significantly higher among frail (aOR, 6.96, 95% CI: 6.62-7.33) and pre-frail (aOR, 2.94, 95% CI: 2.80-3.08) patients. CONCLUSION: Collaborative efforts by neurologists, neurosurgeons, and physiatrists towards identifying frailty and incorporating it in risk estimation measures could help improve management strategies, resource utilization, and optimization of patient outcomes among frail stroke patients.

Late Kidney Injury After Admission to Intensive Care Unit for Acute Heart Failure.

Late kidney injury (LKI) in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) requiring intensive care is poorly understood.We analyzed 821 patients with AHF who required intensive care. We defined LKI based on the ratio of the creatinine level 1 year after admission for AHF to the baseline creatinine level. The patients were categorized into 4 groups based on this ratio: no-LKI (< 1.5, n = 509), Class R (risk; ≥ 1.5, n = 214), Class I (injury; ≥ 2.0, n = 78), and Class F (failure; ≥ 3.0, n = 20). Median follow-up after admission for AHF was 385 (346-426) days. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that acute kidney injury (AKI) during hospitalization (Class R, odds ratio [OR]: 1.710, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.138-2.571, P = 0.010; Class I, OR: 6.744, 95% CI: 3.739-12.163, P < 0.001; and Class F, OR: 9.259, 95% CI: 4.078-18.400, P < 0.001) was independently associated with LKI. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that LKI was an independent predictor of 3-year all-cause death after final follow-up (hazard ratio: 1.545, 95% CI: 1.099-2.172, P = 0.012). The rate of all-cause death was significantly lower in the no-AKI/no-LKI group than in the no-AKI/LKI group (P = 0.048) and in the AKI/no-LKI group than in the AKI/LKI group (P = 0.017).The incidence of LKI was influenced by the presence of AKI during hospitalization, and was associated with poor outcomes within 3 years of final follow-up. In the absence of LKI, AKI during hospitalization for AHF was not associated with a poor outcome.

Rhabdomyolysis presenting with septic shock in a 21 year old female patient: A case report.

Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical condition characterized by the release of intracellular content into the bloodstream, resulting in the breakdown of skeletal muscle. The released intracellular content includes electrolytes, enzymes, and myoglobin, leading to systemic complications. The clinical presentation may vary, ranging from an asymptomatic increase in serum levels of enzymes released from damaged muscles to worrisome conditions such as volume depletion, metabolic and electrolyte abnormalities, and acute kidney injury. The diagnosis is confirmed when the serum creatine kinase (CK) level is > 1000 U/L or at least 5x the upper limit of normal. In this study, we aimed to evaluate a 21-year-old female patient presenting with nontraumatic exercise-unrelated rhabdomyolysis, accompanied by acute renal failure and septic shock.

A study of critically ill obstetric patients admitted to intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital.

Objectives: To evaluate characteristics, indications, complications and outcome of obstetric patients admitted to ICU of tertiary care hospital in KPK, Pakistan. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in department of OBGYN of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from January 2021 till December 2021. A total of 62 patients were enrolled into the study using nonprobability consecutive sampling technique. Their data were collected on a proforma. All patients were followed till their death or discharge home from hospital. Results: The mean duration of ICU stay of patients, was 6.85 ± 4.82 days. Out of 62 patients 17 (27.41%) expired in ICU, while 45 (72.58%) patients survived and were discharged. Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia was the commonest primary diagnosis, accounting for 28 cases (45.2%) with a case fatality rate of 25%, followed by 13 cases (21%) of primary postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) as the second commonest reason for ICU admission and a case fatality rate of 38%. The underlying primary diagnosis had no statistically significant association with outcome of the patient. Acute Renal failure had statistically significant association with outcome of the patient with adjusted OR 4.79, CI:1.17-19.66, p-0.02. Similar positive association with mortality existed for patients having DIC (aOR:6.59; CI:1.34-32.34, p-0.02). Conclusion: Pre-eclampsia/Eclampsia is the commonest reason for intensive care admission, however PPH has the highest case fatality rate. The outcome of critically ill obstetric patients is dependent on complications and not primary underlying diagnosis.

Infant primary hyperoxaluria type 1: A case report and literature review. / å©´å„¿åŽŸå‘æ€§é«˜è‰é ¸å°¿ç—‡1型1ä¾‹å¹¶æ–‡çŒ®å¤ä¹ .

Primary hyperoxaluria (PH) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, with PH type 1 (PH1) being the most common. It is primarily characterized by recurrent renal calculi, renal calcification, and can lead to acute renal failure. In infants, PH1 often results in early end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with a high mortality rate. This paper reports a case of an infant with acute renal failure in the Second Hospital of Shandong University who was diagnosed as PH1 using whole-exome sequencing, revealing a homozygous mutation in the AGXT gene (c.596-2A>G), which is reported here for the first time in the Chinese population. Previous literature indicates that urinary oxalate levels and stone composition can suggest PH1, with the gold standard for diagnosis being liver biopsy combined with alanine-glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGT) enzyme activity assessment. However, due to its convenience, AGXT gene sequencing has increasingly become the preferred diagnostic method. Conservative treatments for PH1 include adequate fluid intake, citrate, vitamin B6, and continuous renal replacement therapy, while liver transplantation is the only curative treatment. Infants with unexplained acute renal failure should be evaluated for PH1, with early detection of the level of urine oxalate and screening for genetic testing recommended.

[Acute renal failure in geriatrics]. / Insuffisance rénale aiguë en gériatrie.

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a frequent medical problem, affecting 20% of hospitalized patients. Aging leads to functional changes in the kidney, disruptions to hydrosodium homeostasis, and is associated with a higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease due to the impact of numerous chronic illnesses (diabetes, arterial hypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy, etc.). All these age-related impairments hamper the kidney's ability to adapt to acute events. While elderly subjects can develop all types of AKI, they are particularly at risk of iatrogenic AKI due to polymedication, functional AKI due to a change in their ability to maintain hydrosodium homeostasis, and obstructive AKI linked to urological pathologies.

Parathyroidectomy and Cinacalcet Use in Medicare-Insured Kidney Transplant Recipients.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Posttransplant hyperparathyroidism is common, and treatment practices are poorly characterized. The goal of this study was to examine the incidence, associations, and outcomes of posttransplant parathyroidectomy and calcimimetic use in a cohort of Medicare-insured US kidney transplant recipients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: We used the US Renal Data System to extract demographic, clinical, and prescription data from Medicare Parts A, B, and D-insured patients who received their first kidney transplant in 2007-2013. We excluded patients with pretransplant parathyroidectomy. PREDICTORS: Calendar year of transplantation and pretransplant patient characteristics. OUTCOME: (1) Incidence of and secular trends in parathyroidectomy and cinacalcet use in the 3 years after transplant; (2) 90-day outcomes after posttransplant parathyroidectomy and cinacalcet initiation. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Temporal trends and pretransplant correlates of parathyroidectomy and cinacalcet use were assessed using proportional hazards models and multivariable Poisson regression, respectively. RESULTS: The inclusion criteria were met by 30,127 patients, of whom 10,707 used cinacalcet before transplant, 551 underwent posttransplant parathyroidectomy, and 5,413 filled≥1 prescription for cinacalcet. The rate of posttransplant parathyroidectomy was stable over time. By contrast, cinacalcet use increased during the period studied. Long dialysis vintage and pretransplant cinacalcet use were strongly associated with posttransplant parathyroidectomy and cinacalcet use. Roughly 1 in 4 patients were hospitalized within 90 days of posttransplant parathyroidectomy, with hypocalcemia-related diagnoses being the most common complication. Parathyroidectomy (vs cinacalcet initiation) was not associated with an increase in acute kidney injury. LIMITATIONS: We lacked access to laboratory data to help assess the severity of secondary/tertiary hyperparathyroidism. The cohort was limited to Medicare beneficiaries. CONCLUSIONS: Almost one-fifth of our study cohort was treated with parathyroidectomy and/or cinacalcet. Further studies are needed to establish the optimal treatment for posttransplant hyperparathyroidism.

Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Weakness in Patients With Acute Kidney Injury: A Contemporary Review.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) and intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) are 2 frequent complications of critical illness that, until recently, have been considered unrelated processes. The adverse impact of AKI on ICU mortality is clear, but its relationship with muscle weakness-a major source of ICU morbidity-has not been fully elucidated. Furthermore, improving ICU survival rates have refocused the field of intensive care toward improving long-term functional outcomes of ICU survivors. We begin our review with the epidemiology of AKI in the ICU and of ICU-AW, highlighting emerging data suggesting that AKI and AKI treated with kidney replacement therapy (AKI-KRT) may independently contribute to the development of ICU-AW. We then delve into human and animal data exploring the pathophysiologic mechanisms linking AKI and acute KRT to muscle wasting, including altered amino acid and protein metabolism, inflammatory signaling, and deleterious removal of micronutrients by KRT. We next discuss the currently available interventions that may mitigate the risk of ICU-AW in patients with AKI and AKI-KRT. We conclude that additional studies are needed to better characterize the epidemiologic and pathophysiologic relationship between AKI, AKI-KRT, and ICU-AW and to prospectively test interventions to improve the long-term functional status and quality of life of AKI survivors.

Timing and Degree of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Requiring Non-Surgical Intensive Care.

BACKGROUND: The degree and timing of acute kidney injury (AKI) on admission and during hospitalization in patients requiring non-surgical intensive care remain unclear.Methods and Results: In this study, 3,758 patients requiring intensive care were analyzed retrospectively. AKI was defined based on the ratio of serum creatinine concentrations recorded at each time point (i.e., on admission and during the first 5 days in the intensive care unit and during hospitalization) to those measured at baseline. Patients were grouped by combining AKI severity (RIFLE class) and timing (i.e., from admission to 5 days [A-5D]; from 5 days to hospital discharge [5D-HD]) as follows: No-AKI; New-AKI (no AKI to Class R [risk; ≥1.5-fold increase in serum creatinine], I [injury; ≥2.0-fold increase in serum creatinine], and F [failure; ≥3.0-fold increase in serum creatinine or receiving dialysis during hospitalization]); Stable-AKI (Class R to R; Class I to I); and Worsening-AKI (Class R to I or F; Class I to F). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that 730-day mortality was independently associated with Class R, I, and F on admission; Class I and F during the 5D-H period; and New-AKI and Worsening-AKI during A-5D and 5D-HD. CONCLUSIONS: AKI on admission, even Class R, was associated with a poor prognosis. An increase in RIFLE class during hospitalization was identified as an important factor for poor prognosis in patients requiring intensive care.