Acute kidney injury in multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant plays an important role in multiple myeloma (MM) treatment. Increasing incidence of MM and growing awareness of acute kidney injury (AKI) as a complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant results in the need to better understand AKI in these patients. We aimed to evaluate incidence, risk factors and 5-year prognostic impact of AKI in MM patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. AKI was defined by the KDIGO classification using creatinine and urinary output criteria. We used survival analysis methods considering competing events for risk factors and disease-free survival, Cox proportional regression for overall survival and stepwise regression methods for multivariable models. RESULTS: We analyzed data regarding 143 patients. The cumulative incidence of AKI and moderate-to-severe AKI was 49.7% and 14.1%, respectively. Factors with independent impact on AKI were obesity (HR: 1.83, 95% CI 1.07-3.11; p = 0.026), Hematopoietic cell transplantation-specific comorbidity index (HCT-CI) ≥ 2 (HR: 1.85, 95% CI 1.08-3.17), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (HR: 2.06, 95% CI 1.05-4.04), amyloidosis (HR: 2.25, 95% CI 1.25-4.06), mucositis grade 3-4 (HR: 2.19, 95% CI 1.25-3.86) and exposure to nephrotoxic drugs (HR: 2.0856, 95% CI 1.04-4.19). Moderate-to-severe AKI had an impact (HR: 1.62, 95% CI 1.15-2.31) on 5-year overall survival. CONCLUSION: Acute kidney injury affects almost half of MM patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and reduction in urinary output allows early diagnosis in almost a quarter of the patients. Obesity, HCT-CI ≥ 2, CKD, amyloidosis, mucositis grade 3-4 and exposure to nephrotoxic drugs are significant risk factors. Moderate-to-severe AKI is associated with lower 5-year overall survival.

Predictive Risk Score for Acute Kidney Injury in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is an important treatment option for hematologic malignancies. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in HSCTs and is related to worse outcomes. We aimed to create a predictive risk score for AKI in HSCT considering variables available at the time of the transplant. We performed a retrospective cohort study. AKI was defined by the KDIGO classification using creatinine and urinary output criteria. We used survival analysis with competing events. Continuous variables were dichotomized according to the Liu index. A multivariable analysis was performed with a backward stepwise regression. Harrel's C-Statistic was used to evaluate the performance of the model. Points were attributed considering the nearest integer of two times each covariate's hazard ratio. The Liu index was used to establish the optimal cut-off. We included 422 patients undergoing autologous (61.1%) or allogeneic (38.9%) HSCTs for multiple myeloma (33.9%), lymphoma (27.3%), and leukemia (38.8%). AKI cumulative incidence was 59.1%. Variables eligible for the final score were: hematopoietic cell transplant comorbidity index ≥2 (HR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.08-2.006; p = 0.013), chronic kidney disease (HR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.31-3.36; p = 0.002), lymphoma or leukemia (HR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.26-2.25; p < 0.001) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio > 171.9 (HR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.10-1.86; p = 0.008). This is the first predictive risk score for AKI in patients undergoing HSCTs and the first study where the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio is independently associated with AKI.

Vitamin D and Chronic Kidney Disease Association with Mineral and Bone Disorder: An Appraisal of Tangled Guidelines.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a highly prevalent condition worldwide in which the kidneys lose many abilities, such as the regulation of vitamin D (VD) metabolism. Moreover, people with CKD are at a higher risk of multifactorial VD deficiency, which has been extensively associated with poor outcomes, including bone disease, cardiovascular disease, and higher mortality. Evidence is abundant in terms of the association of negative outcomes with low levels of VD, but recent studies have lowered previous high expectations regarding the beneficial effects of VD supplementation in the general population. Although controversies still exist, the diagnosis and treatment of VD have not been excluded from nephrology guidelines, and much data still supports VD supplementation in CKD patients. In this narrative review, we briefly summarize evolving controversies and useful clinical approaches, underscoring that the adverse effects of VD derivatives must be balanced against the need for effective prevention of progressive and severe secondary hyperparathyroidism. Guidelines vary, but there seems to be general agreement that VD deficiency should be avoided in CKD patients, and it is likely that one should not wait until severe SHPT is present before cautiously starting VD derivatives. Furthermore, it is emphasized that the goal should not be the complete normalization of parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. New developments may help us to better define optimal VD and PTH at different CKD stages, but large trials are still needed to confirm that VD and precise control of these and other CKD-MBD biomarkers are unequivocally related to improved hard outcomes in this population.

Acute kidney injury in autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant for patients with lymphoma - KDIGO classification with creatinine and urinary output criteria: a cohort analysis.

Eligibility and indication for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with lymphoma are increasing. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a known complication of HSCT with studies including a miscellaneous of hematological diagnoses and using different definitions of AKI. We aimed to evaluate incidence, risk factors and prognostic impact of AKI post-HSCT in patients with lymphoma submitted to autologous HSCT using the KDIGO classification with both serum creatinine and urinary output criteria. We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study including patients with lymphoma admitted for autologous HSCT. We used survival analysis with competing risks to evaluate cumulative incidence of AKI, AKI risk factors and AKI impact on disease-free survival. We used Cox regression for impact of AKI on overall survival. We used backward stepwise regression to create multivariable models. A total of 115 patients were included. Cumulative incidence of AKI: 63.7% 100 d post-HSCT. First diagnosis criteria: creatinine in 54.8%, urinary output in 41.1% and both in 4.1%. AKI highest stage: 1 in 57.5%, 2 in 17.8% and 3 in 24.7%. Variables independently associated with higher incidence of AKI were: use of nephrotoxic drugs (HR: 2.87, 95% CI: 1.07-7.65; p = 0.035), mucositis (HR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.16-3.29; p = 0.012) and shock (HR: 2.63, 95% CI: 1.19-5.85; p = 0.017). Moderate to severe AKI was independently associated with lower overall survival (HR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.06-3.94; p = 0.033). No association with relapse nor progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) was found. AKI affects almost two thirds of patients with lymphomas submitted to autologous HSCT. Nephrotoxic drugs, mucositis and shock are important independent AKI risk factors. More than one third of AKI episodes are moderate to severe and these are associated with lower overall survival.

Clinical Approach to Vascular Calcification in Patients With Non-dialysis Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease: Mineral-Bone Disorder-Related Aspects.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a very high morbimortality, mainly from cardiovascular origin, and CKD is currently considered in the high- or very high risk- cardiovascular risk category. CKD-mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBDs), including vascular and/or valvular calcifications, are also associated with these poor outcomes. Vascular calcification (VC) is very prevalent (both intimal and medial), even in non-dialysis dependent patients, with a greater severity and more rapid progression. Simple X-ray based-scores such as Adragão's (AS) are useful prognostic tools and AS (even AS based on hand-X-ray only) may be superior to the classic Kauppila's score when evaluating non-dialysis CKD patients. Thus, in this mini-review, we briefly review CKD-MBD-related aspects of VC and its complex pathophysiology including the vast array of contributors and inhibitors. Furthermore, although VC is a surrogate marker and is not yet considered a treatment target, we consider that the presence of VC may be relevant in guiding therapeutic interventions, unless all patients are treated with the mindset of reducing the incidence or progression of VC with the currently available armamentarium. Avoiding phosphate loading, restricting calcium-based phosphate binders and high doses of vitamin D, and avoiding normalizing (within the normal limits for the assay) parathyroid hormone levels seem logical approaches. The availability of new drugs and future studies, including patients in early stages of CKD, may lead to significant improvements not only in patient risk stratification but also in attenuating the accelerated progression of VC in CKD.

Capacidade funcional em populações especiais antes e após cinesioterapia passiva e alongamento / Functional capacity in special populations before and after passive kinesiotherapy and stretching / Capacidad funcional en poblaciones especiales antes y después de la kinesioterapia pasiva y el estiramiento

Objetiva-se analisar a capacidade funcional antes e depois de um tratamento com cinesioterapia passiva e alongamento em populações especiais. Estudo de caso, exploratório, retrospectivo, com uma abordagem quantitativa dos dados. A amostra da pesquisa foi constituída por homens na faixa etária entre 60 a 76 anos de idade, sedentários, com coronariopatias e co-morbidades associadas. Foram analisadas as fichas de avaliação e da reavaliação realizadas com o Senior Fitness Test entre julho a agosto de 2017. A estatística foi realizada através do software SISVAR. As co-morbidades associadas mais frequentes foram: dislipidemia e Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica. No teste T1, houve um aumento no número de repetições nos movimentos de sentar e levantar da cadeira nos participantes 3, 7 e 10. No T2, ocorreu uma melhora no movimento de flexão do antebraço nos participantes 7 e 8. No T3, os participantes 3, 9, e 10 apresentaram uma melhora na flexibilidade dos MMII. O T4 verificou que os participantes 3 e 7 foram melhores na velocidade, agilidade e equilíbrio dinâmico. O T5 confirmou que apenas o participante 8 apresentou resultados significativos quanto à flexibilidade dos MMSS. No T6 e T7, não houve diferença significativa entre paciente x tempo quanto à resistência aeróbica e IMC respectivamente após o tratamento. Os resultados do Senior Fitness Test em populações especiais parece ser uma ferramenta capaz de analisar individualmente as necessidades de cada participante de um protocolo com reabilitação cardíaca de forma segura e prática; no entanto, se faz necessária uma amostra mais significativa.

Objective: To analyze the functional capacity before and after a treatment with passive kinesiotherapy and stretching in special populations. Method: Exploratory, retrospective case study with a quantitative data approach.The research sample consisted of men in the age group between 60 and 76 years of age, sedentary, with coronary diseases and associated comorbidities. We analyzed the evaluation and revaluation sheets made with Senior Fitness Test between July and August 2017. The statistics were performed using the SISVAR software. Results: The most frequent associated comorbidities were: dyslipidemia and Systemic Arterial Hypertension. In the T1 test, there was an increase in the number of repetitions in the sit and stand movements in the participants 3, 7 and 10. In T2 there was an improvement in the movement of forearm flexion in participants 7 and 8. In T3 participants 3, 9, and 10 presented an improvement in the flexibility of LLLs. T4 found that participants 3 and 7 were better at speed, agility, and dynamic balance. The T5 confirmed that only the participant 8 presented significant results regarding the flexibility of the MMSS. At T6 and T7, there was no significant difference between patient and time for aerobic endurance and BMI respectively after treatment. Conclusion: The results of Senior Fitness Test in special populations seem to be a tool capable of analyzing individually the needs of each participant of a protocol with cardiac rehabilitation in a safe and practical way, however a more significant sample is necessary.

El objetivo es analizar la capacidad funcional antes y después de un tratamiento con kinesioterapia pasiva y estiramiento en poblaciones especiales. Estudio de caso, exploratorio, retrospectivo, con un enfoque cuantitativo de los datos. La muestra de investigación consistió en hombres sedentarios de 60 a 76 años, con enfermedades coronarias y comorbilidades asociadas. Se analizaron los formularios de evaluación y reevaluación realizados con la Prueba de aptitud física para adultos mayores entre julio y agosto de 2017. Las estadísticas se realizaron con el software SISVAR. Las comorbilidades asociadas más frecuentes fueron: dislipidemia e hipertensión arterial sistémica. En la prueba T1, hubo un aumento en el número de repeticiones en los movimientos de sentarse y levantarse de la silla en los participantes 3, 7 y 10. En T2, hubo una mejora en la flexión del antebrazo en los participantes 7 y 8. En T3, los participantes 3, 9 y 10 mostraron una mejora en la flexibilidad de las extremidades inferiores. T4 encontró que los participantes 3 y 7 fueron mejores en velocidad, agilidad y equilibrio dinámico. T5 confirmó que solo el participante 8 presentó resultados significativos con respecto a la flexibilidad del MMSS. En T6 y T7, no hubo diferencias significativas entre el paciente x el tiempo en términos de resistencia aeróbica e IMC respectivamente después del tratamiento. Los resultados del Senior Fitness Test en poblaciones especiales parecen ser una herramienta capaz de analizar individualmente las necesidades de cada participante en un protocolo con rehabilitación cardíaca de una manera segura y práctica; sin embargo, se necesita una muestra más significativa.

Osseointegration of porous apatite-wollastonite and poly(lactic acid) composite structures created using 3D printing techniques.

A novel apatite-wollastonite/poly(lactic acid) (AW/PLA) composite structure, which matches cortical and cancellous bone properties has been produced and evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The composites structure has been produced using an innovative combination of 3D printed polymer and ceramic macrostructures, thermally bonded to create a hybrid composite structure. In vitro cell assays demonstrated that the AW structure alone, PLA structure alone, and AW/PLA composite were all biocompatible, with the AW structure supporting the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells. Within a rat calvarial defect model the AW material showed excellent osseointegration with the formation of new bone, and vascularisation of the porous AW structure, both when the AW was implanted alone and when it was part of the AW/PLA composite structure. However, the AW/PLA structure showed the largest amount of the newly formed bone in vivo, an effect which is considered to be a result of the presence of the osteoinductive AW structure stimulating bone growth in the larger pores of the adjacent PLA structure. The layered AW/PLA structure showed no signs of delamination in any of the in vitro or in vivo studies, a result which is attributed to good initial bonding between polymer and ceramic, slow resorption rates of the two materials, and excellent osseointegration. It is concluded that macro-scale composites offer an alternative route to the fabrication of bioactive bone implants which can provide a match to both cortical and cancellous bone properties over millimetre length scales.

Obesity, acute kidney injury and mortality in patients with sepsis: a cohort analysis.

Although the prognostic effect of obesity has been studied in critically ill patients its impact on outcomes of septic patients and its role as a risk factor for acute kidney injury (AKI) is not consensual. We aimed to analyze the impact of obesity on the occurrence of AKI and on in-hospital mortality in a cohort of critically ill septic patients. This study is retrospective including 456 adult patients with sepsis admitted to the Division of Intensive Medicine of the Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte (Lisbon, Portugal) between January 2008 and December 2014. Obesity was defined as a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher. The Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes classification was used to diagnose and classify patients developing AKI. AKI occurred in 87.5% of patients (19.5% with stage 1, 22.6% with stage 2 and 45.4% with stage 3). Obese patients developed AKI more frequently than non-obese patients (92.8% versus 85.5%, p = .035; unadjusted OR 2.2 (95% CI: 1.04-4.6), p = .039; adjusted OR 2.31 (95% CI: 1.07-5.02), p = .034). The percentage of obese patients, however, did not differ between AKI stages (stage 1, 25.1%; stage 2, 28.6%; stage 3, 15.4%; p = .145). There was no association between obesity and mortality (p = .739). Of note, when comparing AKI patients with or without obesity in terms of in-hospital mortality there were also no significant differences between those groups (38.4% versus 38.4%, p = .998). Obesity was associated with the occurrence of AKI in critically ill patients with sepsis; however, it was not associated with in-hospital mortality.

Pleural and pericardial effusion in a long-term PD patient - a defying diagnosis
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Peritoneopleural shunt is an uncommon complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) usually presenting early as a right pleural transudate. Peritoneopericardial shunt is an even rarer entity in PD, almost never occurring spontaneously. We present the case of a 37-year-old woman on PD for 24 months exhibiting a left pleural and pericardial effusion following pneumonia. Pleural fluid was initially compatible with an exudate with a high glucose concentration and later with a transudate. In order to clarify the suspicion of an ongoing shunt an abdominal scintigraphy was performed confirming the diagnosis of a peritoneopleuropericardial communication. This case underlines the importance of considering this unusual diagnosis in a patient on long-term PD. Its timely diagnosis is important to stop PD and start hemodialysis.
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Multiple brown tumors - a rare presentation in the modern era
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) commonly evolves with disturbances in mineral and bone metabolism, currently defined as CKD-MBD. Management strategies have progressed over the years, but our knowledge regarding evaluation and treatment is still sparse. Herein, we describe a rare case of a hemodialysis patient with apparently fairly controlled hyperparathyroidism (HPTH), who developed multiple symptomatic brown tumors involving the scull, mandible, vertebrae, pelvis, and metacarpus. Parathyroidectomy allowed complete resolution of the bone lesions preventing disastrous consequences.
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Genitourinary tuberculosis - a rare presentation of a still frequent infection in renal transplant recipients.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in renal transplant recipients is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Genitourinary tuberculosis is a less frequent presentation and a high level of suspicion is needed to avoid treatment delay. Management is challenging due to the interaction of calcineurin inhibitors with antituberculous medications and the known side effects of these drugs, with higher prevalence in this population. The authors present a case of a renal transplant recipient with urinary and constitutional symptoms whom is diagnosed with tuberculosis after a prostatic biopsy in an already disseminated stage and develops hepatotoxicity to antituberculous therapy.

Acute kidney injury in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock: a comparison between the 'Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function, End-stage kidney disease' (RIFLE), Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) classifications.

PURPOSE: Using the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function, End-stage kidney disease (RIFLE), Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) systems, the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and their ability to predict in-hospital mortality in severe sepsis or septic shock was compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 457 critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock hospitalized between January 2008 and December 2014. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to evaluate the association between the RIFLE, AKIN and KDIGO systems with in-hospital mortality. Model fit was assessed by the goodness-of-fit test and discrimination by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. RESULTS: RIFLE (84.2%) and KDIGO (87.5%) identified more patients with AKI than AKIN (72.8%) (P < 0.001). AKI defined by AKIN and KDIGO was associated with in-hospital mortality {AKIN: adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.3[95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-4], P = 0.006; KDIGO: adjusted OR 2.7[95% CI 1.2-6.2], P = 0.021} while AKI defined by RIFLE was not [adjusted OR 2.0 (95% CI 1-4), P = 0.063]. The AUROC curve for in-hospital mortality was similar between the three classifications (RIFLE 0.652, P < 0.001; AKIN 0.686, P < 0.001; KDIGO 0.658, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RIFLE and KDIGO diagnosed more patients with AKI than AKIN, but the prediction ability for in-hospital mortality was similar between the three systems.

Genitourinary tuberculosis - a rare presentation of a still frequent infection in renal transplant recipients / Tuberculose genitourinária - uma apresentação rara de uma infeção ainda frequente nos doentes transplantados renais

Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in renal transplant recipients is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Genitourinary tuberculosis is a less frequent presentation and a high level of suspicion is needed to avoid treatment delay. Management is challenging due to the interaction of calcineurin inhibitors with antituberculous medications and the known side effects of these drugs, with higher prevalence in this population. The authors present a case of a renal transplant recipient with urinary and constitutional symptoms whom is diagnosed with tuberculosis after a prostatic biopsy in an already disseminated stage and develops hepatotoxicity to antituberculous therapy.

Resumo A infeção por Mycobacterion tuberculosis nos doentes transplantados renais está associada a morbilidade e mortalidade significativas. A tuberculose genitourinária é uma apresentação menos frequente desta infeção e é necessário um elevado índice de suspeição para evitar atraso no diagnóstico e tratamento. A abordagem terapeutica é desafiante dada a interação dos inibidores da calcineurina com os tuberculostáticos e os vários efeitos secundários destes fármacos, mais prevalentes nesta população. Os autores apresentam um caso de um doente transplantado renal com sintomas urínários e constitucionais que é diagnosticado com tuberculose após biópsia prostática e que desenvolve hepatotoxicidade à terapeutica.

Porphyria Cutanea Tarda in a Patient with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Case of Successful Treatment with Deferoxamine and Ferric Carboxymaltose.

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a rare disease, with a strong association with hepatitis C virus. PCT is particularly problematic in end-stage renal disease patients as they have no renal excretion of porphyrins and these are poorly dialyzed. Also, conventional treatment of PCT is compromised in these patients as hydroxychloroquine is contraindicated, phlebotomies with the stipulated frequency are poorly tolerated in already anaemia-prone patients, and iron-chelating agents are less efficient in removing iron and contribute to worsening anaemia. The authors report a patient on haemodialysis, with hepatitis C infection, that is diagnosed with PCT. Despite the good clinical results with deferoxamine, she became dependent on blood transfusions because of her ferropenic state. Every time oxide iron was started, the patient developed clinical features of the disease, resolving after the suspension of the drug. A decision was made to start the patient on ferric carboxymaltose, which was well tolerated without disease symptoms and need of further blood transfusions. This case suggests that deferoxamine is efficient in treatment of porphyria cutanea tarda. Also, ferric carboxymaltose may be a valuable option for refractory anaemia in patients with this disease and end-stage renal disease, as it seems to provide iron without clinical relapse of the disease.

Acute kidney injury, long-term renal function and mortality in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery: a cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent during hospitalization and may contribute to adverse consequences. We aimed to evaluate long-term adverse renal function and mortality after postoperative AKI in a cohort of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients who underwent major non-vascular abdominal surgery between January 2010 and February 2011 at the Department of Surgery II of Hospital de Santa Maria-Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Portugal. Exclusion criteria were as follows: chronic kidney disease on renal replacement therapy, undergoing renal replacement therapy the week before surgery, death before discharge and loss to follow-up through January 2014. Patients were categorized according to the development of postoperative AKI in the first 48 h after surgery using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes classification. AKI was defined by an increase in absolute serum creatinine (SCr) ≥0.3 mg/dL or by a percentage increase in SCr ≥50% and/or by a decrease in urine output to <0.5 mL/kg/h for >6 h. Adverse renal outcomes (need for long-term dialysis and/or a 25% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate after hospital discharge) and mortality after discharge were evaluated. Cumulative mortality was analysed with the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test and outcome predictive factors with the Cox regression. Significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Of 390 selected patients, 72 (18.5%) developed postoperative AKI. The median follow-up was 38 months. Adverse renal outcomes and death after hospital discharge were more frequent among AKI patients (47.2 versus 22.0%, P < 0.0001; and 47.2 versus 20.5%, P < 0.0001, respectively). The 4 year cumulative probability of death was 44.4% for AKI patients, while it was 19.8% for patients with no AKI (log-rank test, P < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, AKI was a risk factor for adverse renal outcomes (adjusted hazard ratio 1.6, P = 0.046) and mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.4, P = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: AKI after major abdominal surgery was independently associated with the risk of long-term need for dialysis and/or renal function decline and with the risk of death after hospital discharge.

Acute kidney injury after major abdominal surgery: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Background. We analyzed the incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a cohort of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Methods. A total of 450 patients were retrospectively studied. AKI was defined by an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) ≥ 0.3 mg/dl or by an increase in SCr ≥ 50% and/or by a decrease in urine output to 0.5 ml/kg/hour for 6 hours, in the first 48 hours after surgery. Logistic regression method was used to determine predictors of AKI and in-hospital mortality. A two-tailed P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results. One hundred one patients (22.4%) had postoperative AKI. Age (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.05), nonrenal Revised Cardiac Risk Index score (adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3-3.1, P = 0.003), intraoperative erythrocytes transfusions (adjusted OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.5, P <.0001), and nonrenal Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (adjusted OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P = 0.0191) were associated with postoperative AKI. AKI was associated with increased in-hospital mortality (20.8% versus 2.3%, P <.0001; unadjusted OR 11.2, 95% CI 4.8-26.2, P <.0001; adjusted OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.2-11.7, P = 0.024). Conclusion. AKI was common in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery and was associated with in-hospital mortality.