Development Of Acute Renal Failure Research Articles

Lightning Injuries and Acute Renal Failure: A Review

Lightning strikes cause multimodal injuries in victims, and although the number of deaths due to lightning is reportedly in the area of 1,000 deaths per year, they cause significant morbidity in many others. A major complication of a lightning strike is acute renal failure (ARF). The true incidence of ARF due to lightning injuries worldwide is difficult to ascertain because of significant underreporting, due in large measure to cultural and sociodemographic factors. Its incidence is reportedly rare in some literature and significant in others. However, lightning's potential to cause ARF due to myoglobinuria has been noted by many authors. Prompt treatment of myoglobinuric patients prevents the development of ARF. ARF due to direct organ damage by lightning is virtually unheard of.In this article, the current mechanisms of lightning injuries leading to muscle damage, myoglobinuria, and subsequent ARF are discussed, as well as signs and symptoms, laboratory investigations, and patient management.

Effect of Fenoldopam Mesylate in Critically Ill Patients at Risk for Acute Renal Failure is Dose Dependent

Background: Acute renal failure (ARF) is common and difficult to prevent, especially in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with cancer. Therapeutic trials with various agents have generally been ineffective in preventing ARF. We describe the effects of two different doses of the dopamine DA-1 receptor agonist fenoldopam mesylate on renal function in a series of critically ill cancer patients at risk of developing ARF. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 100 consecutive patients who received fenoldopam mesylate for at least 72 h in the medical and surgical ICUs of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center who were at risk of developing ARF. Eighteen patients received low-dose fenoldopam mesylate (≤ 0.05 µg/kg/min). The remaining 82 patients received high-dose fenoldopam mesylate (0.07–0.1 µg/kg/min). Data were collected relating to drug dosage, patient demographics, severity of illness, and indices of renal function. Results: Patients were moderately ill, with a mean APACHE II score of 18 ± 6 at initiation of fenoldopam infusion. Eighty-five percent of patients had at least two risk factors for the development of ARF, and 20% had four. For the group overall, the incidence of ARF was 13%, and the hospital mortality rate was 37%. When compared with the low-dose group, patients who received high-dose fenoldopam had a significantly shorter ICU length of stay despite a significantly higher APACHE II score (p = 0.01). The high-dose group also had a highly significant decrease in serum creatinine levels at 72 h (p = 0.005). Conclusions: These data support the hypothesis that fenoldopam mesylate may provide a degree of dose-dependent renal protection in cancer patients with early acute renal failure.

Molecular Mechanisms of Acute Renal Failure following Ischemia/Reperfusion

Acute renal failure (ARF) necessitating renal replacement therapy is a common problem associated with high morbidity and mortality in the critically ill. Hypotension, followed by resuscitation, is the most common etiologic factor, mimicked by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in animal models. Although knowledge of the pathophysiology of ARF in the course of this condition is increasingly detailed, the intracellular and molecular mechanisms leading to ARF are still incompletely understood. This review aims at describing the role of cellular events and signals, including collapse of the cytoskeleton, mitochondrial and nuclear changes, in mediating cell dysfunction, programmed cell death (apoptosis), necrosis and others. Insight into the molecular pathways in the various elements of the kidney, such as vascular endothelium and smooth muscle and tubular epithelium leading to cell damage upon I/R will, hopefully, open new therapeutic modalities, to mitigate the development of ARF after hypotensive episodes and to promote repair and resumption of renal function once ARF has developed.

Incidence and risk factors for acute renal failure in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transarterial chemoembolization: a prospective study.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is effective for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Considerable amounts of radiocontrast agent are used for TACE and may induce renal dysfunction. This study prospectively investigated the incidence and risk factors of acute renal failure (ARF), defined as an increase of serum creatinine level >1.5 mg/dl after TACE. ARF developed in 12 (8.6%) of 140 patients after TACE. Univariate analysis showed that number of treatment sessions (2.3 +/- 1.4 vs 1.3 +/- 1.6, P=0.013), Child-Pugh class B (50% vs 21%, P=0.035) and the occurrence of severe postembolization syndrome (75% vs 30%, P=0.020) were significantly associated with the development of ARF. Multivariate logistic regression analysis disclosed that the proportional increased risk of ARF was 65% for each additional TACE therapy (odds ratio [OR]: 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-2.41, P=0.010). Other independent risk factors were Child-Pugh class B (OR: 12.82, 95% CI: 2.44-67.29, P=0.003) and severe postembolization syndrome (OR: 6.64, 95% CI: 1.60-27.49, P=0.009). Four (33%) of the patients with ARF developed irreversible renal function impairment, and diabetes mellitus was the only associated factor (P=0.067) in this group. ARF after TACE is closely associated with number of treatment sessions, severity of cirrhosis and development of severe postembolization syndrome. Effective preventive measures should be undertaken especially in high-risk patients.

Preoperative 24-hour urine amount as an independent predictor of renal outcome in poor cardiac function patients after coronary artery bypass grafting

Purpose: To investigate the incidence and the main pre-operative risk factors for the development of acute renal failure (ARF) in triple vessels coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with special reference to a subset of patients with poor cardiac function (ejection fraction <50%). Patients: The study included the patients (n = 66) requiring CABG from January 1, 1995 to January 1, 2002 in a medical center. Results: A high percentage (84.8%) of patients developed ARF and 57.6% of patients received hemodialysis (HD). Preoperative variables significantly associated with the development of ARF included increased age, increased preoperative serum creatinine, decreased preoperative 24-hour urine output and accepted emergent CABG. By the logistic multivariate regression model, increased age (OR = 1.16), preoperative serum creatinine (OR = 3.58,), decreased preoperative 24-hour urine amount (OR = 0.99,) and emergent CABG (OR = 2.01) were independently associated with ARF. As for the need for HD, those factors including, preoperative serum creatinine (2.11 ± 1.13 v 3.08 ± 1.67mg/dL) and preoperative 24-hour urine output (1358.6 ± 745.9 v 755.2 ± 572.1mL/day) were significantly associated with requirement of dialysis. Using multivariate logistic regression, the significant risk factors independently associated with dialysis were preoperative serum creatinine (OR = 1.34) and preoperative 24-hour urine output (OR = 0.99). Patients with non- oliguric renal failure had significantly greater chance of recovering their renal function after cardiac surgery compared to those with oliguria (36.9% v 10.0%, P < .05). Conclusion: Preoperative 24-hour urine amount and pre-operative serum creatinine can provide valuable information for predicting the likelihood of developing acute renal failure and requiring dialysis in this subgroup of patients.

Acute Renal Failure in the Neonatal Period

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a common problem in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In most cases, ARF is associated with a primary condition such as sepsis, metabolic diseases, perinatal asphyxia and/or prematurity. This retrospective study investigated the course of illness, therapeutic interventions, early prognosis and risk factors associated with development of ARF in the neonatal period. A total of 1311 neonates were treated in our NICU during the 42‐month study period, and 45 of these babies had ARF. This condition was defined as serum creatinine level above 1.5 mg/dL despite normal maternal renal function. The data collected for each ARF case were contributing condition, cause and clinical course of ARF, gestational age and birth weight, age at the time of diagnosis, treatment, presence of perinatal risk factors and need for mechanical ventilation. The frequency of ARF in the NICU during the study period was 3.4%. Premature newborns constituted 31.1% of the cases. The mean birth weight in the group was 2863 ± 1082 g, and the mean age at diagnosis was 6.2 ± 7.4 days. The causes of ARF were categorized as prerenal in 29 patients (64.4%), renal in 14 patients (31.1%) and postrenal in 2 patients (4.4%). Forty‐seven percent of the cases were nonoliguric ARF. Asphyxia was the most common condition that contributed to ARF (40.0%), followed by sepsis/metabolic disease (22.2%) and feeding problems (17.8%). Therapeutic interventions were supportive in 77.8% of the cases, and dialysis was required in the other 22.2%. The mortality rate in the 45 ARF cases was 24.4%. Acute renal failure of renal origin, need for dialysis, and need for mechanical ventilation were associated with significantly increased mortality (p < 0.05). There were no statistical correlations between mortality rate and perinatal risk factors, oliguria, prematurity or blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. The study showed that, at our institution, ARF in the neonatal period is frequently associated with preventable conditions, specifically asphyxia, sepsis and feeding problems. Supportive therapy is effective in most cases of neonatal ARF. Acute renal failure of renal origin, need for dialysis, and need for mechanical ventilation were identified as indicators of poor prognosis in these infants. Early recognition of risk factors and rapid effective treatment of contributing conditions will reduce mortality in neonatal ARF.

Association between heat shock protein 72 gene polymorphism and acute renal failure in premature neonates.

Heat shock protein (HSP)70 plays an important role in the ischemic tolerance of fetal and neonatal kidney. We have investigated the association of genetic polymorphisms of the constitutive HSP70 (HSP73) and the inducible HSP70 (HSP72) encoding genes with the risk of acute renal failure (ARF) in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates. Thirty-seven VLBW neonates with ARF and 93 VLBW neonates without ARF were enrolled in the study. The presence of HSP72 (1267)AG and HSP73 (190)GC polymorphism was analyzed from dried blood samples by PCR and restriction length fragment polymorphism. Allelic prevalence was related to reference values obtained in 131 healthy adults. Stepwise binary logistic regression was applied to determine the independent effect of the established risk factors to the development of ARF. Sixteen of 37 VLBW neonates with ARF and 18 of 93 VLBW neonates without ARF were homozygous for HSP72 (1267)G allele (p </= 0.01). The association between HSP72 (1267)GG genotype and ARF remained at the level of significance (p = 0.05) when it was adjusted for established risk factors of neonatal ARF. Prevalence of HSP72 (1267)GG was also higher in VLBW neonates than in the reference population (p < 0.05) and in VLBW neonates with infant respiratory distress syndrome than in those without (p < 0.001). We found that in VLBW neonates carrying HSP72 (1267)GG genetic variation, which is associated with low inducibility of HSP72, the risk of ARF was increased. Therefore, VLBW neonates with (1267)GG might express less HSP72 and might be less protected against ARF.

Valvular heart operation is an independent risk factor for acute renal failure

Background Acute renal failure (ARF) after cardiac operation with cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with a high mortality rate. The purpose of this study was to determine and quantify whether valvular heart operation is an independent risk factor for developing ARF. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 5,132 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac operation involving cardiopulmonary bypass between April 1997 and March 2001. Patients with significant renal impairment (preoperative serum creatinine > 200 μmol/L) were excluded. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to identify independent risk factors for the postoperative development of ARF. Results In 151 (2.9%) patients ARF developed before hospital discharge. The crude incidence of ARF for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, isolated valve(s) operation, and valve(s) with coronary artery bypass grafting operation was 1.9%, 4.4%, and 7.5%, respectively ( p < 0.001). The results of the logistic regression analysis found that valve operation with or without coronary artery bypass grafting was an independent risk factor for the development of postoperative ARF (odds ratio 2.68, 95% confidence interval 1.89 to 3.79; p < 0.001). Other independent predictors of ARF were increased preoperative serum creatinine levels, urgent or emergent operation, insulin-dependent diabetes, and increased cardiopulmonary bypass time. Conclusions Valve operation is an independent risk factor for postoperative ARF. This risk is further increased by prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass.

Serum creatine kinase as predictor of clinical course in rhabdomyolysis: a 5-year intensive care survey.

To evaluate the risk factors for the development of acute renal failure (ARF) in severe rhabdomyolysis. Observational historical cohort study. General intensive care unit of a university hospital. Twenty-six patients with severe rhabdomyolysis, who were admitted between July 1996 and July 2001. Clinical and laboratory data were reviewed and groups were stratified according to presence or absence of acute renal failure. The underlying cause of rhabdomyolysis was ischemia by vascular obstruction (50%), crush injury by trauma (23%), sepsis (11.5%), heatstroke/hyperthermia (11.5%) and hyponatremia in a single patient. Mean creatine kinase (CK) level was 38,351+/-35,354 U/l on admission and rose further in all patients (mean: 59,747+/-67,514 U/l). Renal failure developed in 17 patients (65%). Serum CK levels correlated with onset of ARF, as these patients had significantly higher admission and peak serum CK concentrations. Patients with ARF had a higher mortality (59% vs 22%). In our cohort of patients with severe rhabdomyolysis the level of serum CK predicted the development of ARF. Although our results suggest that series of CK determination might be beneficial for the evaluation of the effect of therapy, the value of CK determination as a prognostic tool is limited, given the wide range of CK levels.

Elevated serum levels of the type I and type II receptors for tumor necrosis factor-α as predictive factors for ARF in patients with septic shock

Background: Acute renal failure (ARF), a common and serious complication in patients with septic shock, has high mortality. Recent data suggest that proinflammatory cytokines may contribute to sepsis-associated ARF. Methods: To examine the role of proinflammatory cytokines, we evaluated 537 patients enrolled in the placebo arm of the Norasept II study, of whom 112 patients (20%) developed ARF. Results: By univariate analysis, the following factors were significantly associated with the development of ARF: male sex, younger age, increased heart rate, higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, oliguria, increased blood urea nitrogen level, increased serum creatinine (Scr) level, decreased arterial pH, and increased serum potassium level. Although there were no statistically significant differences in serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) or interleukin-6 between patients with and without ARF, elevated serum levels of the two soluble TNF-α receptors (S-TNF-RI and S-TNF-RII) were strongly associated with the development of ARF (S-TNF-RI, 25 ± 16 versus 18 ± 13 ng/mL; P = 0.00006; S-TNF-RII, 25 ± 21 versus 18 ± 17 ng/mL; P = 0.0007). Using forward stepwise regression analysis, elevated S-TNF-R level remained an independent predictor for ARF, even when we limited our analysis to patients with Scr levels of 1.4 mg/dL or less (≤124 μmol/L) at study entry, suggesting that decreased renal clearance of S-TNF-R alone cannot account for this association. Elevated S-TNF-R level also was an independent predictor of mortality among patients developing ARF. Conclusion: S-TNF-R level is an independent predictor for the development of ARF and mortality. We speculate that elevated S-TNF-R levels may reflect a more intense inflammatory response. Am J Kidney Dis 41:62-75. © 2003 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.

Risk Factors for Development of Acute Renal Failure After Liver Transplantation

Background. Acute renal failure (ARF) is a common complication after liver transplantation (LTx). Identification of risk factors may prevent the development and attenuate the impact of ARF on patients outcome after LTX. Methods. Retrospective analysis of variables in the pre, intra, and postoperative periods of 92 patients submitted to LTx was performed in order to identify risk factors for development of ARF after LTx. ARF was defined as serum creatinine ≥2.0 mg/dL in the first 30 days after LTx. Univariate and multivariate analysis by logistic regression were performed. Results. ARF group comprised 56 patients (61%). Preoperative serum creatinine was higher in ARF group. During the intraoperative period, ARF group required more blood transfusions, developed more episodes of hypotension and presented longer anesthesia time. In the postoperative period, ARF group presented higher serum bilirubin and more episodes of hypotension. Dialysis was required in 10 patients (11%). The identified risk factors for development of ARF were: preoperative serum creatinine >1.0 mg/dL, more than five blood transfusions in the intraoperative period, hypotension during intra and postoperative periods. The identified mortality risk factors were hypotension in the postoperative period and no recovery of renal function after 30 days. Conclusions. Several factors are involved in the pathogenesis of ARF after LTx and may influence patients outcome and mortality. Pretransplant renal function and hemodynamic conditions in the operative and postoperative periods were identified as risk factors for development of ARF after LTx. Nonrenal function recovery and postoperative hypotension were identified as mortality risk factors after LTx.

Results of the Pregnancies with HELLP Syndrome

In this study, clinical features, developing complications, and results of thirty-six patients, which were followed up in our Obstetrics and Gynecology and Nephrology departments between 1997 and 2001, with the diagnosis of HELLP syndrome were searched retrospectively. The mean age of the cases followed up with diagnosis of HELLP syndrome were 30.2 ± 5.9 (17–46) years. HELLP syndrome was diagnosed on average in the 32.6 ± 4.8th (23–41) week of gestations. Seventy percent of the cases were with severe preeclampsia and 30% of the cases were with mild preeclampsia. Eleven cases (30%) were nullipara and twenty-five cases (70%) multipara. The average of arterial systolic blood pressure of the cases were 161.6 ± 26 mmHg, and that of diastolic blood pressure was 98.5 ± 16.8 mmHg. In thirteen cases (36%) acute renal failure (ARF), six cases (17%) placenta detachment, two cases disseminate intravascular coagulation (DIC), one case Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) were developed. In seven cases (19%) intrauterine dead fetuses were detected. In twenty-three cases by cesarian section (64%), in thirteen cases by induction (36%) the pregnancies were terminated in 72 h after diagnosing HELLP syndrome. Birth weights of eleven babies (30%) were below 1500 g. Five of the eleven babies were dead in the neonatal period. Six of the thirteen patients who had ARF were given hemodialysis. Two patients died because of the development of ARF + DIC and ARDS. No predicting factors for the development of HELLP syndrome could be detected, but severe preeclampsia. Therefore we think that preeclamptic pregnancies must be followed up very closely and if HELLP syndrome develops, termination of the pregnancy would be proper as soon as possible.

Acute renal failure in the PACU

Acute renal failure (ARF) in the PACU can lead to serious morbidity or even death. The incidence of acute renal failure appears to be increasing. This review article is intended to provide the staff in the PACU with relatively easy means to recognize the development of ARF, and provide recommendations for prompt and intensive management. Existence of renal dysfunction, complex surgical procedures that require cardiopulmonary bypass, and vascular surgery involving the aorta are associated with a high incidence of ARF. In spite of the improved overall care of the patient in the PACU, the occurrence of ARF is associated with a very high likelihood of morbidity and mortality. Prompt recognition of the ARF and aggressive management in the PACU may improve the patient's chances of survival. Large-scale, prospective, randomized clinical trials in the PACU setting are needed to determine the most effective management plan. This is a U.S. government work. There are no restrictions on its use.

Strategies for Treatment and Prevention of Acute Renal Failure

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a potentially life-threatening medical condition that often complicates the hospitalization of critically ill patients. A variety of therapeutic strategies has been studied for both preventing ischemic and nephrotoxic injury to the kidney and improving renal function in established ARF. This article summarizes the role of pharmacologic therapy in the treatment of ARF. Strategies to reduce extracellular fluid volume and preserve renal function with loop diuretics, low-dose dopamine, and renal replacement therapy will be discussed. The value of preventative therapy has increased, and identifying patients at high risk for development of ARF is critical. Modification of drug regimens, administration of less nephrotoxic medications, and volume expansion prior to nephrotoxin administration can minimize toxicity to the kidney. The search for new agents that can improve survival, decrease the need for renal replacement therapy, and hasten the recovery of renal function in ARF is ongoing.

Renal failure in the ICU: Comparison of the impact of acute renal failure and end-stage renal disease on ICU outcomes

Acute renal failure (ARF) is associated with a persistent high mortality in critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Most studies to date have focused on patients with established, intrinsic ARF or relatively severe ARF due to multiple factors. None have examined outcomes of dialysis-dependent chronic renal failure [end-stage renal disease (ESRD)] patients in the ICU. We examined the incidence and outcomes of ARF in the ICU using a standard definition and compared these to outcomes of ICU patients with either ESRD or no renal failure. We sought to determine the impact of renal dysfunction and/or loss of organ function on outcome. We prospectively scored 1530 admissions to eight ICUs over a 10-month period for illness severity at ICU admission using the Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE III) evaluation tool. Patients were defined as having ARF based on the definition of Hou et al (Am J Med 74:243-248,1983) designed to detect significant measurable declines in renal function based on serum creatinine. ESRD patients were identified as being chronically dialysis-dependent prior to ICU admission and the remainder had no renal failure. Clinical characteristics at ICU admission and ICU and hospital outcomes were compared between the three groups. We identified 254 cases of ARF, 57 cases of ESRD and 1219 cases of no renal failure for an incidence of ARF of 17%. Roughly half the ARF patients had ARF at ICU admission and the remainder developed ARF during their ICU stay. Only 11% of ARF patients required dialysis support. ARF patients had significantly higher acute illness severity scores than those with no renal failure, whereas patients with ESRD had intermediate severity scores. ICU mortality was 23% for patients with ARF, 11% for those with ESRD, and 5% for those with no renal failure. There was no difference in outcome between patients who had ARF at ICU admission and those who developed ARF in the ICU. Patients with ARF severe enough to require dialysis had a mortality of 57%. APACHE III predicted outcome very well in patients with no renal failure and patients with ARF at the time of scoring but underpredicted mortality in those who developed ARF after ICU admission and overestimated mortality in patients with ESRD. ARF is common in ICU patients and has a persistent negative impact on outcomes, although the majority of ARF is not severe enough to require dialysis support. The mortality of patients with ARF from all causes is almost exactly similar to that noted using the same criteria two decades ago. More profound ARF requiring dialysis continues to have an even greater mortality. Nevertheless, acute declines in renal function are associated with a mortality that is not well explained simply by loss of organ function. The majority of ARF patients who did not require dialysis still had a considerably higher mortality than the ESRD patients, all of whom required dialysis; while ARF patients who did require dialysis had a much higher morality than ESRD patients. APACHE III performs well and captures the mortality of patients with ARF at the time of scoring. Development of ARF after scoring has a profound effect on standardized mortality. We were unable to identify a unique mortality associated with ARF, but the presence of measurable renal insufficiency continues to be a sensitive marker for poor outcome.

Interleukin genetic variants and the risk of renal failure in infants with infection.

Systemic infection is a major risk factor for the development of neonatal acute renal failure (ARF). We investigated whether genetic polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and IL-10 genes leading to a more intense inflammatory response might predispose very low birth weight (VLBW) infants to the development of ARF in severe infection. The medical records of 92 VLBW newborns (birth weight under 1,500 g) with systemic infection were analyzed. ARF developed in 38 infants during the 1st postnatal week, while 54 neonates exhibited normal renal function. The variants of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-10 genes were determined from dried blood samples with polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. The allele frequencies did not differ in ARF and in non-ARF babies, while the (TNF-alpha /IL-6) AG/GC or AG/CC haplotypes were more often present in ARF (26% vs. 6%, P<0.01). The single presence of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-10 variants does not influence the development of ARF, but the constellation of TNF-alpha and IL-6 genetic variants is associated with ARF. We hypothesize that the simultaneous presence of these polymorphisms might lead to an enhanced inflammatory response in the kidneys in babies with infection.

Lack of prostanoid receptor involvement in ischemic acute renal failure in mice

Background. Thromboxane (TX) A2 inhibition or prostaglardin (PGI2) infusion prevents ischemic acute renal failure (ARF) in animal models. However, the pathophysiological roles of the prostanoid receptors in the development of ischemic ARF are not fully understood, partly because of the limited specificity of their inhibitors or antagonists. Methods. We investigated whether targeted disruption of the PGI2 receptor (IP) or TXA2 receptor (TP) genes conferred susceptibility to renal ischemic-reperfusion injury, using IP and TP knockout mice. Results. Serum creatinine concentration in TP knockout mice was not significantly different from that in wild-type controls. There were no significant histological differences between TP knockout and wild-type mice. Likewise, IP knockout mice showed no significant differences from the wild-type controls in regard to creatinine concentration or histological damage. Conclusions. Lack of TP or IP had no influence on postischemic ARF in mice, indicating that receptors for TXA2 or PGI2 may have minimal roles in the development of this mouse model of ischemic ARF.

Acute Renal Failure in Bone Marrow Transplant Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit

Background/Aims: Review of bone marrow transplant (BMT) cases admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU) and to compare co-morbidity and outcome of BMT patients developing or not developing acute renal failure (ARF). Methods: A case review of BMT patients admitted to the ICU (a 16-bed medico-surgical ICU in a tertiary care teaching institution) over a 4-year period. Results: Between January 1994 and December 1998, 57 among 441 BMT patients (12.9%) were admitted to the ICU, mainly for respiratory distress (58%) and hypotension (32%). Forty-two patients (73.7%) presented ARF as defined as a doubling of serum creatinine. Compared to the 15 other patients, ARF patients had a higher APACHE II score (30 ± 8 vs. 25 ± 7, p < 0.05). For ARF vs. non-ARF patients, there was no difference in age (43.8 ± 10.8 vs. 44.3 ± 11.1 years), in requirement for mechanical ventilation (76 vs. 73%) and vasopressors (69 vs. 60%), and in prevalence of graft-versus-host disease (19 vs. 13%) or neutropenia (69 vs. 67%), but the prevalence of sepsis (83 vs. 60%) and liver failure (69 vs. 40%) was higher. Maximum serum bilirubin was markedly increased in ARF compared to non-ARF patients (p < 0.005). For both subgroups, no difference in the administration of potential nephrotoxic agents was identified. Usually, ARF was considered multifactorial by clinicians, with ATN being the most frequent diagnosis (55%). Maximum serum creatinine reached a mean of 330 ± 130 µmol/l. In 74% of cases, ARF occurred concomitantly or after admission to the ICU. Oligoanuria was present in 38%, whereas polyuria was observed in 17%. Fourteen ARF patients (33%) required dialytic support. Mortality rates were significantly different in ARF vs. non-ARF patients (88 vs. 60%, p < 0.05). Predictive factors for the development of ARF were liver failure (odds ratio (OR) 5.9), low serum albumin (OR 1.2) and APACHE II score (OR 1.1), whereas variables predictive of mortality were mechanical ventilation (OR 14.8), ARF (OR 5.8), liver failure (OR 3.7), and APACHE II score (OR 1.2). Conclusions: This study confirms that ARF in BMT patients admitted to the ICU is frequent, multifactorial, related to liver failure, and that its development has a negative impact on outcome.

Protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid against ischaemic acute renal failure in rats.

1. In the present study, we investigated whether treatment with alpha-lipoic acid (LA), a powerful and universal anti-oxidant, has renal protective effects in rats with ischaemic acute renal failure (ARF). 2. Ischaemic ARF was induced by occlusion of the left renal artery and vein for 45 min followed by reperfusion, 2 weeks after contralateral nephrectomy. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), plasma concentrations of creatinine (Pcr) and urinary osmolality (Uosm) were measured for the assessment of renal dysfunction. Creatinine clearance (Ccr) and fractional excretion of Na+ (FENa) were used as indicators of glomerular and tubular function, respectively. 3. Renal function in ARF rats decreased markedly 24 h after reperfusion. Intraperitoneal injection of LA at a dose of 10 mg/kg before the occlusion tended to attenuate the deterioration of renal function. A higher dose of LA (100 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.01) attenuated the ischaemia/reperfusion-induced increases in BUN (19.1 +/- 0.7 vs 7.2 +/- 0.7 mmol/L before and after treatment, respectively), Pcr (290 +/- 36 vs 78.1 +/- 4.2 micromol/L before and after treatment, respectively) and FENa (1.39 +/- 0.3 vs 0.33 +/- 0.09% before and after treatment, respectively). Treatment with 100 mg/kg LA significantly (P < 0.01) increased Ccr (0.70 +/- 0.13 vs 2.98 +/- 0.27 mL/min per kg before and after treatment, respectively) and Uosm (474 +/- 39 vs 1096 +/- 80 mOsmol/kg before and after treatment, respectively). 4. Histopathological examination of the kidney of ARF rats revealed severe lesions. Tubular necrosis (P < 0.01), proteinaceous casts in tubuli (P < 0.01) and medullary congestion (P < 0.05) were significantly suppressed by the higher dose of LA. 5. A marked increase in endothelin (ET)-1 content in the kidney after ischaemia/reperfusion was evident in ARF rats (0.43 +/- 0.02 ng/g tissue) compared with findings in sham- operated rats (0.20 +/- 0.01 ng/g tissue). Significant attenuation (P < 0.01) of this increase occurred in ARF rats treated with the higher dose of LA (0.24 +/- 0.03 ng/g tissue). 6. These results suggest that administration of LA to rats prior to development of ischaemic ARF prevents renal dysfunction and tissue injury, possibly through the suppression of overproduction of ET-1 in the postischaemic kidney.

ACUTE RENAL FAILURE FROM SPONTANEOUS ACUTE TUMOR LYSIS SYNDROME: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW

Acute tumor lysis syndrome (ATLS), a condition which results from a rapid destruction of tumor cells with massive release of cellular breakdown products, has been well described. However, only a few cases of spontaneous ATLS have been reported in the literature. Acute renal failure (ARF) from spontaneous ATLS has been reported only in three patients who were diagnosed to have Burkitt's lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, and acute myeloid leukemia. We report a similar case of a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, who developed ARF from spontaneous ATLS. ARF can complicate the clinical course of spontaneous ATLS. Since only one patient survived, patients who develop ARF from spontaneous ATLS have a poor outcome. This paper illustrates the need to anticipate the development of ARF, despite aggressive therapy, in a patient with spontaneous ATLS. Prospective studies on renal function prior to and during therapy are required in order to develop a clinical profile reliably detecting patients at risk for developing renal failure and subsequent complication.