Septic acute kidney injury in critically ill Indian patients

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an independent variable for poor outcome in critically ill patients. The pathophysiology of septic AKI is distinct from that of non-septic AKI. We studied the clinical profile and outcome of septic AKI since such data is sparse in Indian patients. In this single-center retrospective, observational, cohort study, septic AKI has been found with high incidence (31%) and overall mortality was 52%. Age, number of non-renal organ failure, and APACHE II score were found as significant predictors of outcome in this population.     

Antimicrobial dosing in critically ill patients with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury

Severe sepsis often leads to multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS) with acute kidney injury (AKI). AKI affects approximately, 35% of Intensive Care Unit patients, and most of these are due to sepsis. Mortality rate of sepsis-induced AKI is high. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials may be responsible for higher therapeutic failure, mortality rates, costs and toxicity as well as the emergence of resistance. Antimicrobial treatment is particularly difficult due to altered pharmacokinetic profile, dynamic changes in patient''s clinical status and, in many cases, need for renal replacement therapy. This article aims to describe the appropriate antimicrobial dosing and reviews the factors contributing to the difficulties in establishing precise guidelines for antimicrobial dosing in sepsis-induced AKI patients. Search strategy: Text material was collected by systematic search in PubMed, Google (1978–2013) for original articles.     

Furosemide is associated with acute kidney injury in critically ill patients

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill patients. Diuretics are used without any evidence demonstrating a beneficial effect on renal function. The objective of the present study is to determine the incidence of AKI in an intensive care unit (ICU) and if there is an association between the use of furosemide and the development of AKI. The study involved a hospital cohort in which 344 patients were consecutively enrolled from January 2010 to January 2011. A total of 132 patients (75 females and 57 males, average age 64 years) remained for analysis. Most exclusions were related to ICU discharge in the first 24 h. Laboratory, sociodemographic and clinical data were collected until the development of AKI, medical discharge or patient death. The incidence of AKI was 55% (95%CI = 46-64). The predictors of AKI found by univariate analysis were septic shock: OR = 3.12, 95%CI = 1.36-7.14; use of furosemide: OR = 3.27, 95%CI = 1.57-6.80, and age: OR = 1.02, 95%CI = 1.00-1.04. Analysis of the subgroup of patients with septic shock showed that the odds ratio of furosemide was 5.5 (95%CI = 1.16-26.02) for development of AKI. Age, use of furosemide, and septic shock were predictors of AKI in critically ill patients. Use of furosemide in the subgroup of patients with sepsis/septic shock increased (68.4%) the chance of development of AKI when compared to the sample as a whole (43.9%)     

Patient and kidney survival by dialysis modality in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury

Using a large, international cohort, we sought to determine the effect of initial technique of renal replacement therapy (RRT) on the outcome of acute renal failure (ARF) in the intensive care unit (ICU). We enrolled 1218 patients treated with continuous RRT (CRRT) or intermittent RRT (IRRT) for ARF in 54 ICUs in 23 countries. We obtained demographic, biochemical and clinical data and followed patients to either death or hospital discharge. Information was analyzed to assess the independent impact of treatment choice on survival and renal recovery. Patients treated first with CRRT (N=1006, 82.6%) required vasopressor drugs and mechanical ventilation more frequently compared to those receiving IRRT (N=212, 17.4%), (p<0.0001). Unadjusted hospital survival was lower (35.8% vs. 51.9%, p<0.0001). However, unadjusted dialysis-independence at hospital discharge was higher after CRRT (85.5% vs. 66.2%, p<0.0001). Multivariable logistic regression showed that choice of CRRT was not an independent predictor of hospital survival or dialysis-free hospital survival. However, the choice of CRRT was a predictor of dialysis independence at hospital discharge among survivors (OR: 3.333, 95% CI: 1.845 - 6.024, p<0.0001). Further adjustment using a propensity score did not significantly change these results. We conclude that worldwide, the choice of CRRT as initial therapy is not a predictor of hospital survival or dialysis-free hospital survival but is an independent predictor of renal recovery among survivors.     

Differences in CVVH vs. CVVHDF in the management of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury in critically ill patients

We hypothesized that patients with sepsis and AKI, especially patients without preserved renal function, and treated with continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), have lower risk for mortality than patients treated with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). Patients were included if they fulfilled the diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock, suffered AKI and received continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in intensive care unit. There were 62 patients treated by CVVH and 75 treated by CVVHDF. Mean survival time was longer in CVVHDF group with oliguric/anuric patients than in CVVH group. CVVH, and not classic risk factors, was associated with higher overall mortality in oliguric/anuric patients. In the linear regression model, hourly urine output was the strongest and positive predictor of longer survival. CVVHDF is according to our results a CRRT modality of choice for the treatment and lower mortality of septic patients with AKI where renal function is no longer preserved. CRRT has been associated with improved renal recovery, but it should be started earlier in AKI evolution with still preserved hourly urine output which is the most sensitive and prognostic marker of survival in septic patients with AKI.     

Histopathology of acute acalculous cholecystitis in critically ill patients

AIMS: To illustrate the histopathological features of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) of critically ill patients and to compare them with those of acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) and normal gallbladders. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 34 gallbladders with AAC and compared them with 28 cases of ACC and 14 normal gallbladders. Histological features were systematically evaluated. Typical features in AAC were bile infiltration, leucocyte margination of blood vessels and lymphatic dilation. Bile infiltration in the gallbladder wall was more common and extended wider and deeper into the muscle layer in AAC compared with ACC. Epithelial degeneration and defects and widespread occurrence of inflammatory cells were typical features in ACC. Necrosis in the muscle layer was also more common and extended wider and deeper in ACC. There were no differences in the occurrence of capillary thromboses, lymphatic follicles or Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses between the AAC and ACC samples. CONCLUSIONS: There are characteristic differences in histopathology between AAC and ACC, although due to overlap, none appeared to be specific as such for either condition. These results suggest that AAC is largely a manifestation of systemic critical illness, whereas ACC is a local disease of the gallbladder.     

Acute kidney injury in critically ill children: Risk factors and outcomes

Background:

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and is associated with poor outcome. We conducted the present study to determine the incidence, risk factors and outcomes of AKI in the PICU.

Materials and Methods:

We collected data retrospectively from case records of children admitted to the PICU during one year. We defined and classified AKI according to modified pRIFLE criteria. We used multivariate logistic regression to determine risk factors of AKI and association of AKI with mortality and morbidity.

Results:

Of the 252 children included in the study, 103 (40.9%) children developed AKI. Of these 103 patients with AKI, 39 (37.9%) patients reached pRIFLE max of Risk, 37 (35.9%) patients reached Injury, and 27 (26.2%) had Failure. Mean Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM III) score at admission was higher in patients with AKI than in controls (P < 0.001).     

Hyponatremia in critically ill patients

Context:

Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte disturbance in critically ill hence understanding its implications is important.

Aims:

This study was carried out to ascertain frequency, predisposing conditions and outcome in critically ill patients with hyponatremia on intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Settings and Design:

This was an observational, prospective study of a series of ICU patients during a 12-month period.

Materials and Methods:

The patients were divided into two groups: Hyponatremic (serum sodium < 135 mmol/L) and Eunatremic groups (135-145 mmol/L). Clinical examination included volume status and drug history, biochemistries, clinical diagnosis and cause of hyponatremia.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Fisher''s exact test, unpaired t-tests Wilcoxon ranksum tests, profile-likelihood method, log-rank test and Kaplan—Meier curves were used. P < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Results:

In the hyponatremic group, the frequency of hyponatremia on ICU admission was 34.3%, most were euvolumic, 58.96%. Females comprised of 36.5%. The mean age was 60.4 ± 17.2. The Syndrome of inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) criteria was met in ninety-one patients (36.25%), peumonia being the leading cause of SIADH. Patients with severe sepsis, elective surgery patients, renal failure and heart failure, cirrhosis of liver and subarachnoid hemorrhage were other more likely etiologic causes (P < 0.05). The hyponatremic group spent a longer time in the ICU (P = 0.02), had longer mechanical ventilator days (P < 0.05) and had an increased mortality rate (P = 0.01).

Conclusions:

Hyponatremia present on admission to the ICU is independent risk factors for poor prognosis.     

Impact of glycemic control on the incidence of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients: a comparison of two strategies using the RIFLE criteria

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the renal outcome in patients submitted to two different regimens of glycemic control, using the RIFLE criteria to define acute kidney injury.

INTRODUCTION:

The impact of intensive insulin therapy on renal function outcome is controversial. The lack of a criterion for AKI definition may play a role on that.

METHODS:

Included as the subjects were 228 randomly selected, critically ill patients engaged in intensive insulin therapy or in a carbohydrate-restrictive strategy. Renal outcome was evaluated through the comparison of the last RIFLE score obtained during the ICU stay and the RIFLE score at admission; the outcome was classified as favorable, stable or unfavorable.

RESULTS:

The two groups were comparable regarding demographic data. AKI developed in 52% of the patients and was associated with a higher mortality (39.4%) compared with those who did not have AKI (8.2%) (p<0.001). Renal function outcome was comparable between the two groups (p = 0.37). We observed a significant correlation between blood glucose levels and the incidence of acute kidney injury (p = 0.007). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, only APACHE III scores higher than 60 were identified as an independent risk factor for unfavorable renal outcome. APACHE III scores>60, acute kidney injury and hypoglycemia were risk factors for mortality.

CONCLUSION:

Intensive insulin therapy and a carbohydrate-restrictive strategy were comparable regarding the incidence of acute kidney injury evaluated using RIFLE criteria.     

Immune balance in critically ill patients

The systemic inflammatory response reflects the non-specific clinical expression of a profound activation of the body's immune responsive elements. Immune activation and immune suppression coexist in the blood of patients with severe sepsis. It is their interaction and the resultant host parenchymal responses that ultimately define the course of sepsis. Importantly, neither profound immune activation (pro-inflammatory) or immune suppression (anti-inflammatory) characterize the dominant process. Rather, there is a combined low grade pro-inflammatory state associated with an immune hyporesponsiveness that defines the usual immunologic state of the patient with severe sepsis.