ABSTRACT
Introduction: Online hemodiafiltration (HDF) has been increasingly used for improved clearance of middle molecular weight toxins. The impact of this mode of clearance is unknown in critically ill patients. We aimed to determine whether the use of HDF in acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with lower mortality and improved kidney recovery up to 90 days after initiation of therapy. Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study using data from 2017 to 2020 of adults with AKI who initiated intermittent renal replacement therapy (IRRT) in the intensive care unit (ICU), using either hemodialysis (HD) or HDF depending on the maintenance status of the water system without regards for patient characteristics. We assessed association with patient-events and session-events using time-dependent Cox models and general estimating equations models, respectively. Results: We included 182 adults with AKI for whom 848 IRRT sessions were performed in the ICU. The 90-day mortality rate was 43 of 182 (24.6%). There was no significant association with the use of HDF and mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.85 (0.43; 1.67) P = 0.64), kidney recovery (aHR: 1.18 (0.76; 1.84) P = 0.47), or intradialytic hypotension (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.91 confidence interval [CI]: 0.64-1.28 P = 0.58). HDF treatment was associated with a lower rate of subsequent vasopressor use (aOR: 0.60 CI: 0.36-0.99 P = 0.047) and a greater reduction of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) following the first session (-15.0% vs. +5.1%, P = 0.047) but was also associated with increased risk of filter thrombosis during treatment (aOR: 2.42 CI: 1.67-3.50 P < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of HDF in the setting of AKI was not associated with a differential risk of mortality or kidney recovery.
ABSTRACT
RATIONALE: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are monoclonal antibodies used in the treatment of various types of cancers. The downside of using such molecules is the potential risk of developing immune-related adverse events. Factors that trigger these autoimmune side effects are yet to be elucidated. Although any organ can potentially be affected, kidney involvement is usually rare. In this case report, we describe the first known instance of a patient being treated with an inhibitor of programmed death-ligand 1 (anti-PD-L1, a checkpoint inhibitor) who develops acute tubulointerstitial nephritis after contracting the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. PRESENTING CONCERNS OF THE PATIENT: A 62-year-old patient, on immunotherapy treatment for stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma, presents to the emergency department with symptoms of lower respiratory tract infection. Severe acute kidney injury is discovered with electrolyte imbalances requiring urgent dialysis initiation. Further testing reveals that the patient has contracted the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. DIAGNOSIS: A kidney biopsy was performed and was compatible with acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with high dose corticosteroid therapy followed by progressive tapering. OUTCOMES: Rapid and sustained normalization of kidney function was achieved after completion of the steroid course. NOVEL FINDINGS: We hypothesize that the viral infection along with checkpoint inhibitor use has created a proinflammatory environment which led to a loss of self-tolerance to renal parenchyma. Viruses may play a more important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity in this patient population than was previously thought.