Higher Risk Of AKI Research Articles

Does amino acid infusion improve kidney outcomes in patients at high risk for postsurgical AKI?

Does amino acid infusion improve kidney outcomes in patients at high risk for postsurgical AKI?

Doppler-Derived Renal Functional Reserve in the Prediction of Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury in Patients Undergoing Robotic Surgery.

Postoperative acute kidney injury (PO-AKI) is a frequent complication after surgery. Various tools have been proposed to identify patients at high risk for AKI, including preoperative serum creatinine or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary cell cycle arrest, and tubular damage biomarkers; however, none of these can appropriately assess AKI risk before surgery. Renal functional reserve (RFR) screened by the Doppler-derived intraparenchymal renal resistive index variation (IRRIV) test has been proposed to identify patients at risk for AKI before a kidney insult. IRRIV test has been developed in healthy individuals and previously investigated in cardiac surgery patients. This study aims to evaluate the value of the IRRIV test in identifying PO-AKI among patients undergoing robotic abdominal surgery in the Trendelenburg position for pelvic oncological disease. We performed a prospective, double-blinded, observational study. Preoperative baseline renal function and RFR were assessed in 53 patients with baseline eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m2, undergoing robotic surgery in the Trendelenburg position for pelvic oncological disease. The capability of Doppler-derived RFR in predicting PO-AKI was investigated with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC). Approximately 15.1% of patients developed AKI within the first 3 postoperative days. Thirty-one (58.5%) patients had a physiologic delta-RRI (ie, ≥0.05), while 22 (41.5%) patients did not. The ROC-AUC for PO-AKI was 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.74-0.97; P = .007) for serum creatinine, 0.84 (95% CI, 0.71-0.96; P = .006) for eGFR, and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.78-0.91; P = .017) for delta-RRI. When combined with eGFR, the ROC-AUC for delta-RRI was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.9-1). Our findings show that the preoperative assessment of Doppler-derived RFR combined with baseline renal function improves the capability of identifying patients at high risk for PO-AKI with eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 after robotic abdominal surgery in Trendelenburg position for pelvic oncological disease.

#1829 Intravenous contrast exposure in stable CKD 4 and 5 patients and adverse renal outcomes: a propensity-score matched study

Abstract Background and Aims Previous studies of intravenous (IV) contrast administration in patients with CKD have focused on the association between contrast exposure and AKI. Here we explore the association of IV contrast administration for CT imaging with a broader range of adverse renal outcomes in patients with advanced CKD (stages 4 and 5). Method Data covering nephrology care in the West of Scotland were obtained from the Strathclyde Electronic Renal Patient Record. We included adult patients with an incident CT scan and an eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 between April 2008 and May 2020. Patients with AKI were excluded. Structured query language (SQL) was used to analyse CT scan reports and identify whether IV contrast had been administered or not. Patient demographics (age, sex, Scottish index of multiple deprivation), co-morbidities, laboratory tests (including eGFR slope for 6 months preceding the study calculated by linear regression, eGFR at time of CT, C-reactive protein, urine protein:creatinine ratio), anthropometric measurements (blood pressure, body mass index), and medications were collected. The primary outcome was a composite renal outcome (AKI, sustained eGFR drop, renal replacement therapy [RRT], and renal death). Secondary outcomes included individual components of the composite outcome and all-cause death. AKI was defined as a 25% creatinine rise from index creatinine between days 7 and 14 post CT. Sustained eGFR drop was defined as two consecutive eGFR < 15 mL/min/1.73 m2 more than 4 weeks apart. Renal death was defined as death from acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease or end stage renal disease without dialysis. A propensity-score matched dataset was created using a 1:2 ratio with no replacement. Multivariable logistic, proportional hazards and Fine-Gray (competing risks) regressions were used to identify independent correlates of the primary and secondary outcomes. Missing data were multiply imputed using the “mice: Multivariate Imputation by Chained Equations” package on R studio. Results 9226 patients with an eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 underwent an incident CT scan during the study period. Among 6371 patients meeting the inclusion criteria (3067 (48.1%) men; mean [SD] age 72.8 [13.8] years; mean [SD] eGFR 20.4 [6.9] ml/min/1.73 m2), 875 had received IV contrast. A propensity-score matched dataset was generated consisting of 875 patients who had a contrast CT and 1750 patients with non-contrast CT. On multivariable analysis, contrast administration was associated with a higher risk of AKI (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.06-2.10, p = 0.02) but not with the composite renal outcome (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.66-1.20, p = 0.45). Contrast administration did not change the risk of a sustained eGFR drop (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.54-1.43, p = 0.60), RRT (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.61-1.20, p = 0.36), or all-cause death (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.76-1.19, p = 0.65). We did not identify an effect of contrast administration on the time to composite renal outcome, RRT, or all-cause death by Cox regression (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.70-1.22, p = 0.56; HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.64-1.23, p = 0.46; and HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.94-1.20, p = 0.30, respectively). On Fine-Gray regression, we did not identify an impact of contrast administration on the risk of RRT (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.63-1.12, p = 0.24) or death (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.95-1.20, p = 0.27). In subgroup analysis in patients with an index eGFR < 20 mL/min/1.73 m2, contrast administration was not associated with the composite renal outcome (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.51-1.22, p = 0.28), RRT (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.52-1.39, p = 0.51), AKI (HR 1.28, 95% CI 0.66-2.45, p = 0.46), or death (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.64-1.39, p = 0.76). Conclusion In a stable population with advanced CKD, we identified an association between IV contrast administration and the risk of AKI, but this did not translate in adverse long-term renal outcomes. These findings suggest that increases in serum creatinine post-IV contrast in patients with stable CKD are not clinically significant.

Association between triglyceride glucose and acute kidney injury in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a propensity score‑matched analysis

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) often indicates a poor prognosis.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the association between the TyG index and the risk of AKI in patients with AMI.MethodsData were taken from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC) database. A 1:3 propensity score (PS) was set to match patients in the AKI and non-AKI groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression and subgroup analysis were performed to assess the association between TyG index and AKI.ResultsTotally, 1831 AMI patients were included, of which 302 (15.6%) had AKI. The TyG level was higher in AKI patients than in non-AKI patients (9.30 ± 0.71 mg/mL vs. 9.03 ± 0.73 mg/mL, P < 0.001). Compared to the lowest quartile of TyG levels, quartiles 3 or 4 had a higher risk of AKI, respectively (Odds Ratiomodel 4 = 2.139, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.382–3.310, for quartile 4 vs. quartile 1, Ptrend < 0.001). The risk of AKI increased by 34.4% when the TyG level increased by 1 S.D. (OR: 1.344, 95% CI: 1.150–1.570, P < 0.001). The TyG level was non-linearly associated with the risk of AKI in the population within a specified range. After 1:3 propensity score matching, the results were similar and the TyG level remained a risk factor for AKI in patients with AMI.ConclusionHigh levels of TyG increase the risk of AKI in AMI patients. The TyG level is a predictor of AKI risk in AMI patients, and can be used for clinical management.

The relationship between trajectories of renal oxygen saturation and acute kidney injury: a prospective cohort study with a secondary analysis

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a major postoperative consequence, affecting prognosis of older patients. Effective prediction or intervention to predict or prevent the incidence of AKI is currently unavailable.AimsDynamic changes of renal tissue oxygen saturation (RSO2) during surgery process are understudied and we intended to explore the distinct trajectories and associations with postoperative AKI.MethodsThis was a secondary analysis including data for older patients who underwent open hepatectomy surgery with informed consent. Latent class mixed models (LCMM) method was conducted to generate trajectories of intraoperative renal tissue RSO2 through different time points. The primary outcome was postoperative 7-day AKI. The univariate and multivariate regression analysis were performed to identify the relationship between distinct trajectories of renal tissue RSO2 and the risk of AKI. Meanwhile, the prediction efficacy of renal tissue RSO2 at different time points was compared to find potential intervention timing.ResultsPostoperative AKI occurred in 14 (15.2%) of 92 patients. There are two distinct renal tissue RSO2 trajectories, with 44.6% generating "high-downwards" trajectory and 55.4% generating "consistently-high" trajectory. Patients with "high-downwards" trajectory had significantly higher risk of postoperative AKI than another group (Unadjusted OR [Odds Ratio] = 3.790, 95% CI [Confidence Interval]: 1.091–13.164, p = 0.036; Adjusted OR = 3.973, 95% CI 1.020–15.478, p = 0.047, respectively). Predictive performance was 71.4% sensitivity and 60.3% specificity for "high-downwards" trajectory of renal tissue RSO2 to identify AKI. Furthermore, the renal tissue RSO2 exhibited the lowest level and the best results in terms of the sensitivity during the hepatic occlusion period, may be considered as a "time of concern".ConclusionsOlder patients undergoing hepatectomy may show high-downwards trajectory of renal tissue RSO2, indicating a higher risk of AKI, and the lowest level was identified during the hepatic occlusion period. These findings may help to provide potential candidates for future early recognition of deterioration of kidney function and guide interventions.

Global Perspectives in Acute Kidney Injury: Spain.

Global Perspectives in Acute Kidney Injury: Spain.

Natural Language Processing Basics.

Natural Language Processing Basics.

Incremental value of preoperative right ventricular function in predicting moderate to severe acute kidney injury after heart transplantation.

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) commonly occurs after heart transplantation (HTx), but its association with preoperative right ventricular (RV) function remains unknown. Consequently, we aimed to determine the predictive value of preoperative RV function for moderate to severe AKI after HTx.Materials and methodsFrom 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019, all the consecutive HTx recipients in our center were enrolled and analyzed for the occurrence of postoperative AKI staged by the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Conventional RV function parameters, including RV fractional area change (RVFAC) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), were obtained. The primary endpoint was moderate to severe AKI (the KDIGO stage 2 or 3). The secondary endpoints included the impact of AKI on intensive care unit (ICU) mortality, in-hospital mortality, and 1-year mortality.ResultsA total of 273 HTx recipients were included in the study. Postoperative AKI occurred in 209 (77%) patients, including 122 (45%) patients in stage 1 AKI, 49 (18%) patients in stage 2 AKI, and 38 (14%) patients in stage 3 AKI. Patients with higher AKI stage had lower baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), more frequent diabetes, higher right atrial pressure (RAP), longer cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) duration, more perioperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, and worse preoperative RV function. A multivariate logistic regression model incorporating previous diabetes mellitus [odds ratio (OR): 2.21; 95% CI: 1.06–4.61; P = 0.035], baseline eGFR (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.97–0.10; P = 0.037), RAP (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.00–1.10; P = 0.041), perioperative RBC (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.08–1.28; P < 0.001), and TAPSE (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.79–0.91; P < 0.001) was established to diagnose moderate to severe AKI more accurately [the area under the curve (AUC) = 79.8%; Akaike information criterion: 274].ConclusionPreoperative RV function parameters provide additional predicting value over clinical and hemodynamic parameters, which are imperative for risk stratification in patients with HTx at higher risk of AKI.

Use of Ultrasound to Assess Hemodynamics in Acutely Ill Patients.

Early diagnosis of AKI and preventive measures can likely decrease the severity of the injury and improve patient outcomes. Current hemodynamic monitoring variables, including BP, heart and respiratory rates, temperature, and oxygenation status, have been used to identify patients at high risk for AKI. Despite the widespread use of such variables, their ability to accurately and timely detect patients who are high risk has been questioned. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop and validate tools that can measure new and more kidney-specific hemodynamic and laboratory variables, potentially assisting with AKI risk stratification, implementing appropriate and timely preventive measures, and hopefully improved outcomes. The new ultrasonography techniques provide novel insights into kidney hemodynamics and potential management and/or therapeutic targets. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography; Doppler flow patterns of hepatic veins, portal vein, and intrakidney veins; and ultrasound elastography are among approaches that may provide such information, particularly related to vascular changes in AKI, venous volume excess or congestion, and fluid tolerance. This review summarizes the current state of these techniques and their relevance to kidney hemodynamic management.

1012-P: Diabetes Is Not Associated with Worse Outcomes in Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multisystem metabolic disorder shown to have adverse effects on lung physiology, immune responses, and antimicrobial defenses. However, the impact of DM on the development of poor in-hospital outcomes in patients with Acute COPD exacerbation (AECOPD) is unclear. We aimed to assess this very impact in our study. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2018. About 394,929 hospitalizations had AECOPD as a primary diagnosis and were stratified based on the presence of DM using ICD-10 codes. Multivariate regression analysis was used to adjust for confounders and analyze variables. The selection of covariates was done with a univariate screen and literature review. Results: Out of the 394,929 hospitalized patients with AECOPD, 123,425 patients had DM. In-hospital mortality in AECOPD patients with DM was lower than those without (0.78% vs. 1.17%, p&amp;lt;0.001). Mean length of stay (LOS) and patient costs (PC) were higher in those with DM (4.1 vs. 3.92 days and $9242 vs. $8710 respectively). When adjusted to patient demographics, comorbidities and hospital characteristics, AECOPD patients with DM had a lower risk of mortality (aOR=0.49, p&amp;lt;0.001), myocardial infarction (MI) (aOR=0.58, p&amp;lt;0.001), pulmonary embolism (PE) (aOR=0.71, p=0.011), and stroke (aOR=0.68, p=0.047), as well as a higher risk develop an AKI (aOR=1.07, p=0.024). COPD patients with DM had less LOS by 0.09 days (p=0.007) and PC by $236 (p=0.03) after adjusting for similar covariates. There was no statistical significance in the risk of developing respiratory failure (aOR=0.97, p=0.165) and sepsis (aOR=0.74, p=0.173). Conclusion: DM in AECOPD did not have worse outcomes in terms of in-hospital mortality, LOS, and PC. DM patients had lower risk of MI, PE, and stroke, however, had higher risk of AKI. Further investigation is needed to understand the exact correlation between the paradoxical nature of outcomes in AECOPD in those with DM. Disclosure R. Atluri: None. M. Ramirez: None. H. Shaka: None. M. Murthi: None. C. D. Corpuz: None. S. Velagapudi: None. G. Velazquez: None.

Acute Kidney Injury among Black Patients with Sickle Cell Trait and Sickle Cell Disease.

Sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease are associated with faster GFR decline compared with normal hemoglobin phenotypes. We sought to compare the AKI risk in sickle cell trait/disease to normal hemoglobin phenotypes and investigate the association between AKI and GFR decline in sickle cell trait/disease. This multicenter observational study used registry data (January 2005-June 2018) of adult Black patients with sickle cell trait/disease (exposures) and normal hemoglobin phenotype (reference) ascertained by hemoglobin electrophoresis. Outcomes of interest (incident AKI [1.5 times baseline serum creatinine or higher], incident severe AKI [doubling of baseline serum creatinine or higher], and incident sustained AKI [AKI persisting for ≥72 hours]) were adjudicated by chart review and evaluated by Cox regression. The association between AKI and GFR decline (linear mixed models) was also investigated. We identified 8968 reference patients, 1279 patients with sickle cell trait, and 254 patients with sickle cell disease with a median follow-up of 7.6 years and mean baseline serum creatinine of 0.8 mg/dl. We observed 796 AKI events, 452 sustained AKI events, and 466 severe AKI events. Compared with people with a normal hemoglobin phenotype, sickle cell trait was associated with higher risk for sustained AKI (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.27 to 2.11), but not AKI (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.91 to 1.36) or severe AKI (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 0.96 to 1.64). Sickle cell disease was associated with AKI (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.85; 95% confidence interval, 2.13 to 3.81), severe AKI (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.65 to 3.42), and sustained AKI (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.68 to 3.71). Post-AKI GFR decline was significantly faster in sickle cell trait (0.37 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year faster, P<0.01) and disease (1.69 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year faster, P<0.01) compared with the reference. Sickle cell trait and disease are associated with higher risk of AKI, which is associated with accelerated decline in eGFR.

Normal saline and acute kidney injury in hospitalized patients; more precaution to be taken

Introduction: Potential nephrotoxic agents are not well recognized and are being used irrespective of patients’ vulnerability. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the prevalence of exposure to normal saline and the risk of hospital acquired acute kidney injury (HA-AKI). Patients and Methods: A retrospective case-control study of a total of 424 hospitalized patients was done. The frequency of exposure to the individual intravenous fluids and their risk of HA-AKI were calculated as odds ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Of 424 total sampled hospitalized patients, post-admission normal saline exposure was found in 37.6% in which 22.6% had the development of HA-AKI and 15% did not develop AKI. The risk of HA-AKI was significantly higher in patients who received normal saline and lower in patients who received 5% dextrose water (ORs; 1.92, 95% CI; 1.28, 2.85; P=0.001 and ORs; 0.48, 95% CI; 0.24, 0.95, P=0.02, respectively). Conclusion: Exposure to normal saline was considerably high among hospitalized patients and was associated with a higher risk of AKI. Post-admission administration of high sodium and chloride containing intravenous fluid should be limited in patients who are vulnerable to develop AKI.

Acute Kidney Injury in a National Cohort of Hospitalized US Veterans with COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with higher risk of AKI. We aimed to describe rates and characterize predictors and health outcomes associated with AKI in a national cohort of US veterans hospitalized with COVID-19. In a cohort of 5216 US veterans hospitalized with COVID-19 identified through July 23, 2020, we described changes in serum creatinine and examined predictors of AKI and the associations between AKI, health resource utilization, and death, utilizing logistic regressions. We characterized geographic and temporal variations in AKI rates and estimated variance explained by key variables utilizing Poisson regressions. In total, 1655 (32%) participants had AKI; 961 (58%), 223 (13%), and 270 (16%) met Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes definitions of stage 1, 2, and 3 AKI, respectively, and 201 (12%) received KRT. Eight percent of participants had AKI within 1 day of hospitalization, and 47% did not recover to baseline serum creatinine by discharge. Older age, Black race, male gender, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and lower eGFR were significant predictors of AKI during hospitalization with COVID-19. AKI was associated with higher mechanical ventilation use (odds ratio, 6.46; 95% confidence interval, 5.52 to 7.57) and longer hospital stay (5.56 additional days; 95% confidence interval, 4.78 to 6.34). AKI was also associated with higher risk of death (odds ratio, 6.71; 95% confidence interval, 5.62 to 8.04); this association was stronger in Blacks (P value of interaction <0.001). Hospital-level rates of AKI exhibited substantial geographic variability, ranging from 10% to 56%. Between March and July 2020, AKI rates declined from 40% to 27%; proportions of AKI stage 3 and AKI requiring KRT decreased from 44% to 17%. Both geographic and temporal variabilities were predominately explained by percentages of Blacks (31% and 49%, respectively). AKI is common during hospitalization with COVID-19 and associated with higher risk of health care resource utilization and death. Nearly half of patients with AKI did not recover to baseline by discharge. Substantial geographic variation and temporal decline in rates and severity of AKI were observed. This article contains a podcast at https://www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/CJASN/2020_11_16_CJN09610620_final.mp3.

Acute Kidney Injury in COVID-19: Emerging Evidence of a Distinct Pathophysiology.

Acute Kidney Injury in COVID-19: Emerging Evidence of a Distinct Pathophysiology.

Urinary [TIMP-2]\u2009\xd7\u2009[IGFBP7] and serum procalcitonin to predict and assess the risk for short-term outcomes in septic and non-septic critically ill patients

BackgroundBiomarkers can play a critical role by facilitating diagnosis and stratification of disease, as well as assessment or prediction of disease severity. Urinary tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 product ([TIMP-2] × [IGFBP7]) predict the development and progression of AKI and recently procalcitonin (PCT), a widely used biomarker for sepsis diagnosis and management, has been associated with AKI occurrence in ICU patients. To assess combinations of [TIMP-2] × [IGFBP7] and PCT results for prediction and risk stratification of short-term outcomes in septic and non-septic patients, a retrospective cohort analysis of critically ill patients was performed in a multidisciplinary ICU. ROC curve analysis was used in order to evaluate predictive performance of combined results of [TIMP-2] × [IGFBP7] and PCT at the time of admission for AKI development. To verify the utility of adding [TIMP-2] × [IGFBP7] and PCT results for risk assessment, we evaluated the predictive value of having a single-marker positivity compared to a double-marker positivity using the widely used cut-off of 0.3 (ng/mL)2/1000 for [TIMP-2] × [IGFBP7] and 0.5 μg/L for PCT. Risk assessment for AKI occurrence within 48 h, acute kidney disease (AKD) and mortality at 7 days was performed by logistic/Cox regression analysis.Results433 patients were analysed, of whom 168 had AKI within 48 h (93 septic and 65 non-septic patients). Combination of [TIMP-2] × [IGFBP7] and PCT showed a good predictive ability for AKI occurrence (AUC 0.81, 95% CI 0.77–0.86, p < 0.001, Sens 78%, Spec 73%). Combinations of biomarkers increased the odd ratios (OR) considerably. A single-marker positivity showed a fourfold risk increase, while the double-marker positivity a 26-fold risk increase for AKI occurrence. Moreover, the double-marker positivity showed an elevated risk for AKD at 7 days in non-septic patients (OR 15.9, 95% CI 3,21–73,57, p < 0.001) and for mortality within 7 days in septic patients (HR 4.1, 95% CI 1.4–11.8, p = 0.001).ConclusionsAlthough combining the results of [TIMP-2] × [IGFBP7] and PCT may be a useful tool to identify and stratify ICU patients at high risk for septic AKI and short-term adverse outcomes, data should be confirmed in a large prospective study.

Review on Effects of NSAID`S on Different Systems

Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are amongst the most commonly prescribed medication. Some are available over the counter and likely to be abused. The gastrointestinal (GI), renal and cardiovascular (CV) side effects limit NSAIDs use. These side effects occurred at a rate as low as 1%–5% for NSAID users. The gastrointestinal (GI), renal and cardiovascular (CV) side effects limit NSAIDs use. Some studies have shown that an extra 2to8 per 1000 people per year may have a major vascular event from using an NSAID. Several studies demonstrated that conventional NSAIDs were associated with a higher risk of AKI and GN and decreased kidney hemodynamic functions, including sodium excretion. NSAIDs have a range of adverse effects mainly affecting the GI, renal and CV systems.&#x0D;

Acute kidney injury is associated with higher mortality and healthcare costs in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis

Introduction and ObjectivesAKI is known to be associated with increased risk of mortality, however limited information is available on how AKI impacts healthcare costs and resource utilization in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. Previous studies have had variable definitions of AKI, resulting in inconsistent reporting of the true impact of AKI in patients with cirrhosis. MethodsData from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) which contains data from 44 states and 4378 hospitals, accounting for over 7 million discharges were analyzed. The inclusion data were all discharges in the 2012 NIS dataset with a discharge diagnosis of cirrhosis. ResultsA total of 32,605 patients were included in the analysis, incidence of AKI was 12.12% in patients with cirrhosis. Crude mortality was much higher for patients with cirrhosis and AKI (14.9% vs. 1.8%, OR 9.42, p<0.001) than for patients without AKI. In addition, mean LOS was longer (8.5 vs. 4.3 days, p<0.001) and median total hospital charges were higher for patients with AKI ($43,939 vs. $22,270, p<0.001). In multivariate logistic regression, controlling for covariates and mortality risk score, sepsis, ascites and SBP were predictors of AKI. ConclusionsAKI is relatively common in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis. Presence of AKI results in significantly higher inpatient mortality as well as LOS and resource utilization. Median hospitalization cost was twice as high in AKI patients. Early identification of patients at high risk for AKI should be implemented to reduce mortality and contain costs. Prognosis could be enhanced by utilizing biomarkers which could rapidly detect AKI.

Lanosterol Synthase Genetic Variants, Endogenous Ouabain, and Both Acute and Chronic Kidney Injury

Studies of humans and animals have suggested that endogenous ouabain (EO) and related genes are mediators of acute (AKI) and chronic kidney injury. We sought to examine the relationship among EO levels, genetic variants in lanosterol synthase (LSS; an enzyme that catalyzes synthesis of cholesterol, a precursor of EO), and both AKI and chronic kidney injury. 2 prospective observational cohort studies and a cross-sectional study of kidney tissue. (1) A prospective cohort study of patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery, (2) measurement of EO concentration in kidney tissue removed because of an adjacent tumor, and (3) a prospective cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension. Missense variant in LSS (A instead of C allele at rs2254524), which leads to a valine to leucine substitution at amino acid642. Development of postoperative AKI in the cardiovascular surgery cohort, EO concentration in kidney tissue, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) reductions in the essential hypertension cohort. Logistic regression for analysis of postoperative AKI, analysis of variance for EO concentration in kidney tissue, and generalized linear models for changes in eGFR over time. AKI incidence following cardiovascular surgery was greater among those with the LSS rs2254524 AA genotype (30.7%) than in those with the CC genotype (17.4%; P=0.001). LSS rs2254524 AA kidneys had higher EO concentrations than CC kidneys (2.14±0.29 vs 1.25±0.08ng/g; P<0.001). In the longitudinal study of patients with essential hypertension (median follow-up, 4 years; range, 1-15 years), eGFR decline was greater among the LSS rs2254524 AA genotype group (-4.39±1.18mL/min/1.73m2 per year) than in the AC or CC genotype groups (-1.07±0.55 and-2.00±0.45mL/min/1.73m2 per year respectively; P= 0.03). These associations do not necessarily represent causal relationships; LSS rs2254524 variants may have effects on other steroid hormones. These findings support the potential value of LSS rs2254524 genotype-based risk stratification to identify patients at high risk for AKI before cardiovascular surgery, as well as predict accelerated eGFR in the setting of hypertension. These findings also suggest that LSS may in part drive EO-mediated kidney damage. EO may represent a new potential therapeutic target for the prevention of AKI and slowing of kidney damage in the setting of hypertension.

Population-Based Study of Risk of AKI with Levetiracetam.

Regulatory agencies warn about the risk of AKI with levetiracetam use on the basis of information from case reports. We conducted this study to determine whether new levetiracetam use versus nonuse is associated with a higher risk of AKI. This was a population-based retrospective cohort study of adults with epilepsy in Ontario, Canada. Patients who received a new outpatient prescription for levetiracetam between January 1, 2004 and March 1, 2017 were matched to two nonusers on stage of CKD, recorded seizure in the prior 90 days, and logit of a propensity score for levetiracetam use. The primary outcome was a hospital encounter (emergency department visit or hospitalization) with AKI within 30 days of cohort entry. Secondary outcomes were AKI within 180 days and change in the concentration of serum creatinine. We assessed the primary outcome using health care diagnosis codes. We evaluated the change in the concentration of serum creatinine in a subpopulation with laboratory measurements. We matched 3980 levetiracetam users to 7960 nonusers (mean age 55 years, 51% women). Levetiracetam use was not significantly associated with a higher risk of AKI within 30 days (13 [0.33%] events in levetiracetam users and 21 [0.26%] events in nonusers [odds ratio, 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 0.62 to 2.47]). Similarly, there was no significant association with AKI within 180 days (odds ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.43 to 1.13). The change in the concentration of serum creatinine did not significantly differ between levetiracetam users and nonusers. In this population-based study levetiracetam use was not associated with a higher risk of AKI. This article contains a podcast at https://www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/CJASN/2018_12_11_Yau_Podcast.mp3.

Acute Kidney Injury among Hospitalized Children in China.

High-quality epidemiologic data on AKI in children are particularly lacking in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the epidemiology and clinical correlates of AKI among hospitalized children in China. We performed a multicenter study, in a cohort of hospitalized children aged 1 month to 18 years, from 25 general and children's hospitals in China during 2013-2015. We obtained patient-level data from the electronic hospitalization information system and laboratory databases of all children who had at least two serum creatinine tests within any 7-day window during their first 30 days of hospitalization. We identified AKI events according to the creatinine criteria of Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes. The in-hospital outcomes of AKI, including mortality, kidney recovery, and length of stay, were assessed. We estimated the corresponding hazard ratios using a Cox proportional hazard model, with adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities, and clinical procedures. A total of 19,908 (20%) patients with AKI were identified among 101,836 pediatric inpatients, of which 7220 (7%) were community acquired and 12,688 (13%) were hospital acquired. Up to 96% of these AKI events were not diagnosed on the discharge records. The cumulative incidence of AKI in infants (28%) was twice that in adolescents (12%). The profiles of risk factors differed between community-acquired and hospital-acquired AKI and varied with age. Diarrhea and sepsis were the top risk factors for community-acquired AKI, each contributing 6% of the risk. Congenital heart disease/cardiac surgery was the major risk factor for hospital-acquired AKI, contributing to 19% of cases. Exposure to nephrotoxic drugs, mostly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and proton pump inhibitors, was common in hospitalized children and was associated with a higher risk of AKI. Death occurred in 842 out of 19,908 patients (4%) with AKI versus 450 out of 81,478 children (0.5%) without AKI. The risk of in-hospital death was higher among children with severe AKI, shock, and respiratory failure. Pediatric AKI was associated with longer hospital stay and higher daily cost, even after adjustment for covariates. Pediatric AKI is common and is substantially underdiagnosed in China.