Post-renal Acute Kidney Injury Research Articles

Post-renal acute kidney injury complicated by urinary tract obstruction due to massive blood clots and severe thrombocytopenia in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is often seen with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), and these conditions may occur concurrently with severe immune thrombocytopenia and even acute kidney injury (AKI); however, post-renal AKI due to bleeding is uncommon. Here, we describe a case of post-renal AKI and anuria in a patient with SLE and APS, which were attributable to urinary tract obstruction due to massive blood clots caused by secondary immune thrombocytopenia. A 50-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital with anuria, abdominal tenderness, purpura in the trunk and in both legs, and severe thrombocytopenia. She had been receiving medical treatment for APS and SLE till the age of 45 years. Computed tomography revealed a blood clot without extravasation in both urinary tracts and she was diagnosed with post-renal AKI due to complete obstruction of the urinary system. Additionally, based on her medical history, elevated platelet-associated IgG levels, and increased megakaryocyte count, she was diagnosed with secondary immune thrombocytopenia complicated by SLE and APS. She also had elevated APS-related autoantibodies, including antiphosphatidylserine/prothrombin IgM, and IgG. However, concomitant serositis such as lupus enteritis or cystitis was not seen. She was treated with a combination of glucocorticoids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and continuous hemodialysis/hemofiltration, which resulted in rapid improvement of her symptoms and renal dysfunction. Secondary immune thrombocytopenia-induced massive bleeding of urinary tract can cause post-renal AKI. Appropriate diagnosis and aggressive treatment are necessary to improve prognosis in such patients.

Profile of Acute Kidney Injury in the Pediatric Age Group in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Prospective Observational Study.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a menace in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality all over the world. There are limited data available on pediatric AKI in central India. Our primary objective is to determine the clinical, etiological, and outcome profile of AKI in the pediatric age group of 3 months to 15 years admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur. The secondary objective(s) is to predict the association of mortality in children diagnosed with AKI and to estimate the number of patients developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) at three-month follow-up. This observational study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics at AIIMS Raipur, Chhattisgarh, from September 2021 to February 2023. All patients aged 3 months to 15 years of age satisfying the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria for AKI and presenting to the hospital were included, and those refusing consent or having CKD stage ≥3 were excluded. A total of 66 children were assessed for eligibility. Out of these 66 patients, 2 were excluded as they had AKI on CKD, and a total of 64 patients were included. For all included patients, details of their demography, clinical features, etiology workup, and hospital stay were collected. Their outcome was observed and categorized into complete response, partial response, no response, left against medical advice (LAMA), or death. Patients who were discharged were followed up for three months and observed for the recovery or development of CKD. The incidence of AKI in the PICU was 15.48% (64/413). Ventricular septal defect with pneumonia and pneumonia (12.5%, 8/64 each) were the most common diagnoses at presentation, resulting in AKI. The most common clinical presentations were fever (54.7%, 35/64) and respiratory distress (43.8%, 28/64). Out of them, 73.4% (47/64) had sepsis, and 62.5% (40/64) had shock. About 56.2% (36/64) of children had non-oliguric AKI as compared to 43.8% (28/64) who had oliguric AKI. Among total children with AKI, 54.7% (35/64) of patients had prerenal AKI, 43.8% (28/64) had renal AKI, and 1.6% (1/64) had postrenal AKI. Of all the children included, 32.8% (21/64) experienced complete resolution of AKI, while 18.8% (12/64) showed partial resolution, and 1.6% (1/64) remained unresolved. Among them, 3.1% (2/64) LAMA, and 43.8% (28/64) died. The median duration of the hospital stay in our study was 16.5 days. Out of them, 59.4% (38/64) of patients required renal replacement therapy (60.5% required peritoneal dialysis (PD), 36.8% required hemodialysis (HD), and 2.6% required both). Among survivors, 19.35% (6/31) developed CKD on a three-month follow-up. The incidence of AKI was seen in critically ill children in the PICU, and it was associated with high mortality.

Acute kidney injury in Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma/leukemia, and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma: One center experience

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in patients with leukemia and lymphoma. In this single-center non-interventional retrospective study from 2010 to 2022, we aimed to evaluate causes, clinical features, and pathology finding in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), non-Hodgkin lymphoma/leukemia (NHL/CLL), or lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) and AKI. Methods: We identified 101 patients with HL, NHL/CLL, and LPL. We analyzed AKI incidence and various clinical, laboratory, and pathology parameters and outcomes. Results: About 46.5% of patients with HL, NHL/CLL, and LPL presented with AKI. The incidence of AKI was the highest in the CLL setting (65.0%), it was lower and almost equal (48.0% and 47.0%) in NHL and HL, respectively, and the lowest (14.2%) in LPL. Study group comprised of 47 patients, M/F 31/16, median age was 64.0 [52.0; 71.0] years, and the patients with HL were significantly younger ( p = 0.022). The median disease duration prior to the AKI presentation was 14 [5; 44] months. Pre-renal AKI was diagnosed in 48.9% of cases: tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), specific lymphoid infiltration (LI), and post-renal AKI presented in 12.7% each. Kidney biopsy in 49% of patients revealed LI in 39.1% of cases. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis presented in 21.7% of cases, proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits in 13.0%, AA amyloidosis, IgA nephropathy, and AA amyloidosis in 8.6% each. AKI recovered in 63.8% of patients and 59.5% of patients were alive and dialysis-free at last evaluation: 100% with HL versus 58.3%, 46.1%, and 0% with NHL, LL, and LPL, respectively ( p = 0.025); and 8.5% remained alive on dialysis. About 25.5% of patients died after discontinuation or without need for dialysis; and 6.3% died on dialysis. Conclusion: AKI in patients with leukemia and lymphoma is heterogeneous and most commonly caused by volume depletion. AKI recovery, though not complete, occurred in 63.8% of cases with 68% survival.

“Post-renal acute kidney injury in patients with cancer: Clinical presentation and kidney and patient outcomes”

Background: Post-renal acute kidney injury (PR–AKI) is frequent in patients with cancer requiring emergent intervention. With our study we aimed to describe the clinical features and prognostic factors for kidney and overall survival (OS) in cancer patients with PR–AKI. Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study that included 306 cancer patients with PR–AKI admitted from January 2011 to December 2021. Previous kidney function, AKI episode, and progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) were compared. Kaplan Meier and Cox proportional regression methods were used for survival analyses. Results: The most frequent type of malignancy was the prostate (52, 17%) followed by the uterus (50, 16.3%). The mean baseline eGFR was 62 ml/min/1.73 m2. AKI stage 3 was present in 157 patients (51.3%) and renal replacement therapy (RRT) was performed in 19 patients (6%). At discharge, 197 patients (64.4%) had a quick recovery, and during follow-up 8 (2.6%) patients progressed to ESKD. The risk factors associated with ESKD were previous decreased kidney function (eGFR<30 ml min 1.73m2) (HR 33.275, [95% CI, 3.997–277.002], p = 0.001); glomerular disease, (HR 8.353, [95%CI, 1.022–68.279], p=0.048); concomitant prerenal AKI (HR 5.670, [95% CI, 1.143–28.131], p = 0.034); and need of RRT (HR 19.519, [95% CI, 4.871–78.215], p < 0.001). Median OS was 6 months (IQR 1–24 months). We found differences in the global survival over 60 months, with longtime survivors including patients with Bricker (42.6% vs16.4%) and genito-urinary cancer (27.6% vs 11.7%). Gastric cancer (HR 2.943, [95%CI, 1.837–4.714], p<0.001), metastatic disease (HR 1.913, [95%CI, 1.464–2.499], p < 0.001), and direct tumoral invasion (HR 1.519, [95%CI, 1.115–2.070], p = 0.008) were related with a decreased survival. Conclusions: Gastric cancer, metastatic disease, and direct tumoral invasion were predictors of short survival. The main predictors of evolution to ESKD were previous kidney function, concomitant glomerular disease, and the need for RT.

Extracorporeal hemoadsorption therapy as a potential therapeutic option for rapid removal of Apixaban in high risk-surgical patients: a case report

BackgroundApixaban is a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOACs) recently emerged as an effective alternative to conventional vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in the treatment of several thromboembolic disorders. However, in case of overdose or in patients requiring emergency surgery there is a high bleeding rate and severe adverse side effects due to the absence of an antidote. There is promising data from in vitro and clinical studies, that certain antithrombotic agents (that is Rivaroxaban and Ticagrelor) have been successfully removed by the extracorporeal hemoadsorption therapy CytoSorb. Here, we present the case of a patient successfully treated with CytoSorb as a kind of antidote to enable emergency surgery for bilateral nephrostomy.Case presentationA 82-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to the Emergency Room with acute kidney injury (AKI) in the context of severe bilateral hydroureteronephrosis. The patient’s medical history included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arterial hypertension, atrial fibrillation (anticoagulated with Apixaban) and a locally advanced prostate adenocarcinoma treated with trans-ureteral resection of the bladder and radiotherapy in the previous months. The indication for a bilateral nephrostomy could not be considered immediately given the major bleeding risk due to Apixaban, which was discontinued and replaced with calciparin. After 36 hours of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), the Apixaban blood level was still elevated and it was decided to install CytoSorb into the running CRRT to accelerate the drug clearance. After 2 hours 30 minutes, there was good reduction of Apixaban from 139 to 72 ng/ml (reduction rate of 48.2%) registered, and this allowed for an easy placement of bilateral nephrostomies without complications. Four days after surgery renal function parameters further normalized, the patient did not require additional dialysis treatments and Apixaban therapy was prescribed again once the patient returned home.ConclusionsIn this case we report the findings of a patient with post-renal AKI requiring emergency nephrostomy placement while on chronic anticoagulation with Apixaban therapy. Combined treatment with CRRT and CytoSorb was associated with the rapid and effective removal of Apixaban allowing for prompt and urgent surgery while simultaneously ensuring the low risk of bleeding as well as an uneventful post-operative course.

#6045 TWO-YEAR INPATIENT ACTIVITY OF A DEDICATED ONCONEPHROLOGY DEPARTMENT

Abstract Background and Aims Onconephrology is a rapidly evolving nephrology subspecialty that focuses on the interaction between cancer and the kidney. Our aim was to describe the clinical activity of a Nephrology Department in a cancer care center, in a 2-year period. Method We retrospectively analyzed the patients observed by the Nephrology Department at our center between 2021 and 2022. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software. Results During the 2-year period, there were 26,015 admissions, 636 of which required a Nephrology observation. Sixty-two per cent were female; the mean age was 68 years (SD ±12.4) with a median Charlson Comorbidity Index of 7. Most cancers were from gastrointestinal (24.1%, n = 153) or urologic origins (22.3%, n = 142), 37% had metastatic disease. Hematologic malignancies accounted for 12.1% of patients (n = 77). Nearly 44.5% of patients (n = 283) had chronic kidney disease (CKD), 20.8% (n = 59) of which were on hemodialysis (HD). Urinary tract obstruction (23.3%), cardiovascular risk factors (17.3%) and nephron loss (10.6%) were the most common causes of CKD. The main reasons for admission were renal dysfunction (23.7%; n = 151), infectious complications (23.3%, n = 148) and elective surgery (20.3%; n = 129). Of the patients observed, 40.7% (n = 259) had acute kidney injury (AKI), 23.3% (n = 148) acute-on-chronic kidney disease and 11.8% (n = 75) hydro-electrolytic disorders. Ten patients (1.6%) were evaluated for nephrotic syndrome (NS) or rapidly progressive renal failure (RPRF). Among AKI patients, intrinsic causes were the most prevalent (48.7% of all cases), with sepsis and ischemic and toxic acute tubular necrosis being the most frequent. Pre-renal and post-renal etiologies occurred in 29.7% and 21.6% of cases, respectively. Gynaecological and prostate tumours were the main neoplastic cause of post-renal AKI. There were 5 TMA cases in allogenic stem cell transplanted patients or treated with gemcitabine and six cases of acute interstitial nephritis, the majority immune check-point inhibitors-related. Over 54% (n = 142) of patients presented with AKI stage 3. About 13% (n = 34) needed renal replacement therapy (RRT), mainly continuous or hybrid techniques (58.8%; n = 20), and only 38% (n = 13) recovered renal function. The group of acute-on-chronic CKD patients included mostly stage 3b and 4 CKD. Most of them (54.1%; n = 80) had an intrinsic cause for kidney dysfunction. There was an equal distribution between stages of AKI severity. About 5% (n = 8) needed RRT and only two of those recovered. Hyponatremia was the most common electrolyte disturbance (56%; n = 42), followed by hypercalcemia (17.3%; n = 13). Over 40% of all cases of hyponatremia occurred in patients with metastatic lung cancer, probably related with the high prevalence of SIADH in this population. All but two patients with NS or RPRF underwent kidney biopsy. Among the patients with NS, its etiologies were: focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis secondary to pamidronate (n = 2), podocytopathy related to pazopanib (n = 1), paraneoplastic membranous nephropathy (n = 1), AL amyloidosis (n = 1) and TMA secondary to gemcitabine (n = 1). The causes of RPRF were ANCA-negative small vessel vasculitis, crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN) related to pembrolizumab and TMA. We also followed two patients with acute kidney disease, one with ATN secondary to bisphosphonates therapy and other with paraneoplastic fibrillary glomerulopathy. The median duration of hospitalization was 10 days (IQR 7.0 – 20.8), with median Nephrology follow-up time of 5.5 days (IQR 3.0 – 9.0). The overall mortality rate was 21.5%, and it was even higher on the subgroup with AKI (27.4%; p = 0.03). About 44% (n = 219) of patients were referred to outpatient Nephrology follow-up, at discharge. Conclusion Our data provides a picture of the rich inward activity developed at our cancer center by the nephrology team. The complexity of these patients highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in their management. No surprisingly, there was a high mortality rate, which was even higher in the AKI-patients subset.

End-stage renal disease due to retroperitoneal fibrosis in neurofibromatosis type I.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RF) commonly leads to renal impairment due to compression of ureters, and around 8% of patients eventually progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We present a case of RF in a 61-year-old female patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) who developed ESRD. She presented with a postrenal acute kidney injury, being initially treated with an ureteral catheter. A magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen showed parietal thickening of the right ureter, and she underwent right ureter reimplantation through bladder flap and psoas hitch. There was an extensive area of fibrosis and inflammation over the right ureter. Biopsy disclosed nonspecific fibrosis, which was consistent with RF. Although the procedure was successful, she developed ESRD. We review atypical presentations of RF and causes of renal injury in NF1. RF should be considered a possible cause of chronic kidney disease in patients with NF1, perhaps due to an unknown underlying mechanism.

418 Post-Renal Acute Kidney Injury: An Overlooked Cause of Allograft Dysfunction in a Kidney Transplant Recipient

418 Post-Renal Acute Kidney Injury: An Overlooked Cause of Allograft Dysfunction in a Kidney Transplant Recipient

Endothelial function assessment by flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery in acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.

Endothelial dysfunction has a significant role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular events in patients with kidney dysfunction. The present study aimed to compare the level of endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI) by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) technique. Also, we sought to find whether this non-invasive technique may assist in accurately distinguishing the acute or chronic nature of kidney failure in patients presenting with uremia for the first time. Demographic and medical characteristics, and laboratory and renal ultrasonography data of the patients with AKI and CKD were collected and compared with a control group. Brachial artery FMD was measured using a Toshiba aplio 300 device with a 7.5 MHz linear probe. In a total of 175 patients with a mean (SD) age of 55.96(15.54) years, FMD% was significantly lower in the CKD and AKI patients compared to the control group (Mean±SD: 16.28%±10.52%), 16.28 %±4.35%, and 24.24±5.71, respectively, p<0.001). Among the different causes of AKI, contrast-induced nephropathy (10.78%±1.75%), volume depletion (14.87%±1.22%), and post-renal AKI (15.96%±1.54%) had the lowest levels of FMD. Also, a significant correlation between FMD and eGFR (r=0.26, P<0.001), serum Hb (r=0.18, P=0.013), Na (r=0.19, P=0.011), BUN (r=-0.21, P=0.005) and Cr (r=- 0.13, P=0.084) was reported. Compared to the control group, CKD and AKI patients showed greater levels of endothelial dysfunction as evidenced by lower brachial artery FMD. However, the FMD technique did not appear to be a practical method in differentiating CKD and AKI in patients presenting with uremia for the first time.

Eosinophilic cystitis as a rare cause of post-renal acute kidney injury in children: a case report

Eosinophilic cystitis as a rare cause of post-renal acute kidney injury in children: a case report

Management of a Giant Urinary Bladder Clot with Intravesical Thrombolysis

An 85-year-old man with a history of prostate malignancy, treated with radiotherapy and hormone therapy 20 years earlier, presented with postrenal acute kidney injury secondary to a ureteral obstruction and massive hematuria, probably due to delayed radiation cystitis.

Rapid recovery of male cats with postrenal acute kidney injury by treating with allogeneic adipose mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex disease and can be generally divided into prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal AKI (PR-AKI). Previous studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived extracellular vesicles have protective function on prerenal and intrarenal AKI treatment, but whether they have therapeutic efficacy on PR-AKI remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of allogeneic adipose mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (ADMSCEVs) on cat models of PR-AKI.MethodsThe cat models of PR-AKI were established by using artificial urinary occlusion and then treated with ADMSCEVs. Histopathological section analysis, blood routine analysis, plasma biochemical test, imaging analysis, and plasma ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-MS/MS (UHPLC-MS/MS) were performed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of ADMSCEVs.ResultsPhysiological and biochemical test showed that the ADMSCEVs could recover creatinine, urea nitrogen and plasma phosphorus to homeostasis efficiently. Blood routine analysis showed that leukocytes in PR-AKI cats with ADMSCEVs treatment returned to normal physiological range more quickly than that of control. UHPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed that the plasma metabolome profile of PR-AKI cats treated with ADMSCEVs was highly similar to that of normal cats. Furthermore, UHPLC-MS/MS analysis also revealed six metabolites (carnitine, melibiose, d-Glucosamine, cytidine, dihydroorotic acid, stachyose) in plasma were highly correlated with the dynamic process of PR-AKI on cats.ConclusionsWe demonstrate the efficacy of ADMSCEVs in the treatment of PR-AKI on cats. Our study also suggests six metabolites to be novel PR-AKI markers and to be potential targets for ADMSCEVs therapy. Our findings will be useful to improve clinical treatment of both animal and human PR-AKI patients with ADMSCEVs in the future.

69-Year-Old Man With Dysuria and Right Lower Abdominal Pain

69-Year-Old Man With Dysuria and Right Lower Abdominal Pain

Investigation of acute kidney injury and related factors in hospital patients; single center experience

Objectives: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a very common clinical problem. This picture is seen in 5-7% of hospitalized patients and in 25-30% of patients hospitalized in intensive care units. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, etiology, clinical features, prognosis and complications in adult patients hospitalized with of AKI.&#x0D; Methods: This study was organized as an observation study in which the files of the patients admitted to internal medicine and nephrology clinics between September 2012 and September 2017 were examined. All patients admitted to the internal medicine and nephrology clinics with the diagnosis of AKI were included in the study. But those under the age of 18, patients with chronic kidney damage, ex-patients after hospitalization, patients who were sent to the intensive care unit after hospitalization, patients who voluntarily refused treatment or left the service and who were hospitalized for more than 48 hours, but those who did not have biochemical analysis during their stay were excluded. RIFLE creatinine criteria were used for AKI identification.&#x0D; Results: The study included 354 patients. 177 (50%) patients were male and 177 (50%) patients were female. The incidence of prerenal AKI in the internal medicine and nephrology clinics was 53.39%, renal AKI was 36.44% and postrenal AKI was 10.17%. When the causes of AKI were examined, 33.9% hypovolemia, 15.5% UTI and 13.5% gastroenteritis were detected. The dialysis rate was 23.7%.&#x0D; Conclusion: Inconclusion, although the incidence of AKI is acceptable in our hospital. It is found to be compatible with the literature and it is possible to catch the early stage of injury by decreasing the frequency especially with better management of elderly patients and more closely monitoring renal functions in this group of patients.

A case of atezolizumab-associated tubulointerstitial nephritis

Patients with bladder cancer commonly present with post-renal acute kidney injury (AKI). Here we describe a rare case of AKI, developed within 15 months of the anti-programmed death-ligand 1 antibody therapy in a patient with bladder cancer and normally functioning suprapubic urinary catheter.

Acute kidney injury due to ammonium acid urate stones in a patient with adenovirus gastroenteritis: a case report

BackgroundAdenovirus gastroenteritis is a common cause of diarrhea and vomiting in infants, resulting in prerenal acute kidney injury (AKI). However, postrenal AKI due to urinary stones associated with adenovirus gastroenteritis is extremely rare. Here, we describe postrenal AKI due to obstructive ammonium acid urate stones associated with adenovirus gastroenteritis.Case presentationA previously healthy 6-month-old boy had an 11-day history of severe diarrhea and a 5-day history of vomiting. His stool was positive for adenovirus antigens. We initiated fluid replacement therapy. On the second hospital day, he suddenly developed anuria. Abdominal computed tomography revealed bilateral hydronephrosis, left ureteral stones, and right bladder ureteral junction stones. Laboratory data showed that the creatinine level increased to 1.00 mg/dL. We diagnosed postrenal AKI due to obstructive bilateral urinary stones. Urination with stable urine volume resumed spontaneously after hydration. A few stones were found in the urine, which consisted of ammonium acid urate (> 98%). The serum creatinine level improved to 0.25 mg/dL. He was discharged nine days after admission.ConclusionsWe suggest that adenovirus gastroenteritis be considered in pediatric patients with postrenal AKI due to urinary stones.

Clinical Implementation of NGAL Testing to Improve Diagnostic Assessment of AKI Episodes in a Canadian Center.

Background:The differential diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) episodes is often challenging. Novel AKI biomarkers have shown their utility to improve prognostic prediction and diagnostic assessment in various research populations but their implementation in standard clinical practice is still rarely reported.Objective:To report the differential diagnostic ability and associated clinical utility of the neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) testing in a real-life setting of a heterogeneous AKI population.Design:This is a retrospective cohort study combined with a clinical audit using questionnaires distributed to consultant nephrologists following NGAL results.Setting:The first 250 consecutive patients with a confirmed AKI where an NGAL test (plasma NGAL [pNGAL] or urine NGAL [uNGAL]) was ordered from a large academic center in Montreal, Canada from January 2021 to August 2021.Patients:Patients were classified into 3 groups based on the final AKI etiology category (functional, intrarenal, and postrenal) following definitive adjudication by 2 independent nephrologists.Methods:The ability of plasma NGAL (pNGAL), urine NGAL (uNGAL), and uNGAL-to-creatinine ratio (uNGAL/Cr) to discriminate intrarenal from functional AKI etiologies was compared to standard urine chemistry (FENa) and proteinuria. A logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between intrarenal AKI and increased biomarker levels. The overall clinical utility and appreciation of the NGAL test was evaluated using a questionnaire completed prospectively by the consultant nephrologist at the time of receiving the NGAL result. The NGAL results were prospectively available to clinicians with a median time of 2.9 (1.3-7.4) hours from the initial order.Results:A total of 214 uNGAL and 44 pNGAL were ordered from 100 functional, 139 intrarenal and 11 postrenal AKI episodes after final adjudication. The discriminative ability of FENa (AUC 0.68 [95% CI: 0.61-0.75]) was lower than uNGAL (AUC 0.80 [95% CI: 0.73-0.86]) and uNGAL/Cr (AUC 0.83 [95% CI: 0.77-0.88]) but better than pNGAL (AUC 0.66 [95% CI: 0.48-0.85]). According to consultant nephrologists, the NGAL testing has led to a change in clinical management in 42% of cases.Limitations:Data reported came from a single center and NGAL was reserved for more complex cases, which limits generalizability. No biopsy has been performed for most AKI cases as the final adjudication was based on a retrospective review of the hospitalization episode.Conclusions:Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin testing can be successfully integrated as part of the diagnostic workup for AKI in clinical practice. The integration of tubular damage biomarkers to functional biomarkers can further improve the differential diagnostic assessment. However, the impact of such biomarkers on AKI management and associated outcomes still needs further validation.

Association between Ureteral Clamping Time and Acute Kidney Injury during Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy.

Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is replacing open radical cystectomy (ORC) and requires clamping of the ureters, resulting in a predisposition to postrenal acute kidney injury (AKI). We investigated the association between ureteral clamping or its duration and acute/chronic postoperative kidney function. Patients who underwent radical cystectomy (robotic or open) at two tertiary institutions during 2002–2021 were retrospectively enrolled. In those who underwent RARC, the maximum postoperative percentage serum creatinine level (%sCre) change was plotted against ureteral clamping duration. They were divided into two groups using the median clamping time (210 min), and the maximum %sCre change and percentage estimated glomerular filtration rate (%eGFR) change at 3–6 months (chronic) were compared between the ORC (no clamp), RARC < 210, and RARC ≥ 210 groups. In 44 RARC patients, a weak correlation was observed between the duration of ureteral clamping and %Cre change (R2 = 0.22, p = 0.001). Baseline serum creatinine levels were comparable between the groups. However, %sCre change was significantly larger in the RARC ≥ 210 group (N = 17, +32.1%) than those in the RARC < 210 (N = 27, +6.1%) and ORC (N = 76, +9.5%) groups (both, p < 0.001). Chronic %eGFR change was comparable between the groups. Longer clamping of the ureter during RARC may precipitate AKI; therefore, the clamping duration should be minimized.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Acute Kidney Injury in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome in which the sudden loss of kidney function leads to kidney failure to maintain fluid hemostasis and electrolytes. Considering the increased hospitalization of patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the prevalence of AKI due to common diseases, surgical procedures, various drugs, as well as the importance of long-term complications, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and related risk factors for the development of AKI in neonates admitted to NICU. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 173 newborns admitted to Boo-Ali-Sina Hospital in Sari, Iran, during 2016-2018. Patients’ demographic characteristics, clinical findings, laboratory results, clinical outcomes, and risk-related disease factors were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16). Results: The prevalence rate of AKI in infants admitted to Neonatal intensive care unit was 26.6%, consisting of 87% (n=40) prerenal, 8.7% (n=4) renal, and 2.2% (n=1) postrenal AKI cases. Furthermore, 6.4%, 9.2%, and 11% of the patients had grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 AKI, based on RIFLE criteria. It should be mentioned that RDS, TTN, and seizure were the most common causes of hospitalization in the NICU. The most common laboratory disorders were acidosis, hyponatremia, anemia, and leukocytosis. Furthermore, anemia (89.1% vs. 19.7 %), hypernatremia (8.7% vs. 2.4%), and hyperkalemia (26% vs. 8% ) were significantly greater in AKI than in the non-AKI group. Conclusion: AKI was common in NICU, and accounted for about one-fourth of the admitted patients. The most common type of AKI was prerenal. The patients were equally distributed in all three stages. Eventually, anemia, hypernatremia, and hyperkalemia can be considered risk factors for AKI.

Urinay neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a biomarker in different renal problems

Background/aimNeutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is used previously to estimate the etiology, severity, and clinical outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the role of urinary NGAL (uNGAL) in the postrenal setting is not clear. In our study, we aimed to discover the cut-off value of uNGAL that can be used in the differential diagnosis of underlying AKI etiologies.Materials and methodsIn this prospective cross-sectional study, we examined 82 subjects in four groups: patients that had (1) postrenal AKI; (2) AKI other than postrenal etiologies; (3) stable chronic kidney disease; and (4) healthy subjects. A renal function assessment was carried out by measuring serum creatinine (sCr) and uNGAL at the time of diagnosis [0th min (T0)]. We followed the study group for three months. ResultsAt the time of diagnosis, sCr (T0) was highest in the postrenal AKI and AKI groups in contrast to stable chronic kidney disease patients and healthy subjects (P < 0.001), as expected. T0 median uNGAL was highest in the postrenal group (P < 0.001). Area under curve (AUC) of uNGAL to estimate postrenal AKI presence was 0.957 (95% CI, 0.897–1.000; P < 0.001). The cut-off point of uNGAL was 42.625 ng/mL for this estimation. ConclusionPatients with AKI must be classified according to the underlying etiologies as soon as possible. uNGAL may be useful to estimate the etiologies, and whether the problem is acute or chronic in the course. In postrenal kidney problems, to plan the urgency of the urologic procedures, it is crucial.