Prognostic relevance of early AKI according to pRIFLE criteria in children undergoing cardiac surgery

Background

Acute renal injury increases risk of death after cardiac surgery. The objective of the study was to evaluate the ability of the pediatric Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-Stage Renal Disease (pRIFLE) criteria to characterize the development of postoperative renal damage in children after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and to evaluate the relationship between the severity of kidney injury and mortality, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) length of stay, and the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV).

Methods

In this retrospective study including children undergoing CPB surgery during a 3-year period in the PICU of a tertiary hospital, demographic, clinical, surgery-related, and postoperative clinical data were collected. Kidney damage was assessed with pRIFLE criteria.

Results

Four hundred and nine patients were included. Early acute kidney injury (AKI) was found in 82 patients (achieving categories Risk 44; Injury 16; Failure 22). Early AKI was associated with younger age (P?=?0.010), longer CPB, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) use, ICU stay >12 days, MV >4 days, and death (P?<?0.001). Controlling the effect of age, CPB, DHCA use, previous cardiac surgeries, and Risk Adjustment in Congenital Heart Surgery Surgical Severity Score (RACHS-1), early AKI development proved to predict ICU stay >12 days [odds ratio (OR) 3.5; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.9–6.5, P?<?0.001)] and need of MV >4 days (OR 5.1; 95 % CI 2.6–10.2, P?<?0.001).

Conclusions

Early AKI when evaluated with the pRIFLE criteria can predict prolonged ICU stay, need of prolonged MV, and mortality.     

Acute kidney injury according to pediatric RIFLE criteria is associated with negative outcomes after heart surgery in children

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) according to pediatric RIFLE (pRIFLE) criteria and adverse outcomes in children after heart surgery.

Methods

Children undergoing heart surgery in a tertiary hospital in Southern Brazil were followed during their stay in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) or until death. The exposure variable was occurrence of AKI according to pRIFLE criteria which place AKI in three categories: R (risk), I (injury), and F (failure). The outcomes studied were death, length of mechanical ventilation (MV), and length of PICU stay.

Results

Eighty-five children were enrolled in the study. Of these, 47 (55.3 %) did not have AKI, while 22 (25.9 %), seven (8.2 %), and nine (10.6 %) were classified into pRIFLE categories R, I, and F, respectively. The incidence of death was 18.4 and 4.2 % in patients with and without AKI, respectively. Compared to children who did not develop AKI, the adjusted odds ratio for death was 1.05 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.09–11.11], 8.36 (95 % CI 1.32–52.63), and 7.85 (95 % CI 1.53–40.29) in the R, I, and F groups, respectively (p?=?0.022). Duration of MV and of PICU stay were significantly higher in those children with AKI.

Conclusions

The occurrence of AKI according to pRIFLE criteria is associated to adverse outcomes in children after heart surgery.     

The optimal timing of continuous renal replacement therapy for patients with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury

Purpose

High mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU) is probably associated with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of this study is to explore which stage of AKI may be the optimal timing for continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 160 critically ill patients with septic AKI, treated with or without CRRT was performed in Binzhou medical college affiliated hospital ICU. The parameters including 28-days mortality rate, renal recovery, ventilation time and ICU stay between CRRT group and control group were assessed.

Results

Renal recovery, defined as independence from dialysis at discharge, was documented for 64/76 (84.2 %) of the surviving patients (48.1 % of total subjects included in the study). The mortality rate increased proportionally with acute kidney injury Network stages in CRRT subgroups (P = 0.001) and control groups (P = 0.029). CRRT initiation at stage 2 of AKI significantly reduced the 28-day mortality (P = 0.048) and increased the 28-day survival rate (P = 0.036) compared with those in control group. In addition, the ICU stay and ventilation time were shorter in CRRT group than that of control group in stage 2 of AKI.

Conclusion

The stage 2 AKI might be the optimal timing for performing CRRT.     

A detailed evaluation of the new acute kidney injury criteria by KDIGO in critically ill patients

Purpose

Two previous classifications of acute kidney injury (AKI) have shown that AKI is associated with increased mortality. In 2012, Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) created new AKI criteria by combining the two previous classifications. However, such combination might cause inconsistency among each definition in the criteria. We have investigated all the definitions in the new KDIGO criteria.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 767 adult patients whose stay in the ICU exceeded 24 h. The KDIGO criteria were applied to all patients to diagnose AKI. Hospital mortality of patients with AKI diagnosed by the ten definitions in the criteria was compared.

Results

AKI occurred in 51.9 % with the standard definition of KDIGO. By multivariable analysis, odds ratios were increased with AKI stage progression and AKI stage 3 was significantly associated with hospital mortality. Crude hospital mortality stratified by the ten definitions showed increasing trends with stage progression. Mortality of the three definitions in stage 1 was from 4.0 to 10.8 %. Stage 2 had two definitions and their mortality was 13.6 and 17.6 %. Stage 3 had five definitions and their mortality ranged from 27.6 to 55.6 %.

Conclusion

AKI defined by the new KDIGO criteria was associated with increased hospital mortality. Although definitions in the KDIGO criteria seem to be appropriate because of the clear relationship between mortality and stage progression on the whole, several limitations may exist, especially in stage 3. Further research should be needed to clarify the validity of the KDIGO criteria and the detailed categories.

     

Outcomes of elderly critically ill medical and surgical patients: a multicentre cohort study

Purpose

Very elderly (over 80 yr of age) critically ill patients admitted to medical-surgical intensive care units (ICUs) have a high incidence of mortality, prolonged hospital length of stay, and dependent living conditions should they survive. The primary purpose of this study is to describe the outcomes and differences in outcomes between very elderly medical patients and their surgical counterparts admitted to Canadian ICUs, thereby informing decision-making for clinicians and substitute decision-makers.

Methods

This was a prospective multicentre cohort study of very elderly medical and surgical patients admitted to 22 Canadian academic and non-academic ICUs. Outcome measures included ICU length of stay and mortality, hospital length of stay and mortality, and disposition following hospital discharge.

Results

There were 1,671 patients evaluated in this study. Patient demographics included a mean age of 84.5 yr, baseline Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score of 22.4, baseline Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score of 5.3, overall ICU mortality of 21.8%, and overall hospital mortality of 35.0%. Medical patient median ICU length of stay was 4.1 days, hospital length of stay was 16.2 days, ICU mortality was 26.5%, and hospital mortality was 41.5%. Surgical patient median ICU length of stay was 3.8 days, hospital length of stay was 20.1 days, ICU mortality was 18.7%, and hospital mortality was 31.6%. Only 45.0% of medical patients and 41.6% of surgical emergency patients were able to return home to live.

Conclusions

In this large sample of critically ill medical and surgical patients, the admission SOFA score and hospital lengths of stay were not different between the two groups, but medical patients had longer ICU lengths of stay and higher ICU and hospital mortality than surgical patients.

     

Comparison of different definitions of acute kidney injury in extremely low birth weight infants

Background

The definition of acute kidney injury (AKI) has evolved over the years, and three definitions have been adapted including pediatric risk injury failure, loss of kidney function (pRIFLE), Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN), and Neonatal Modified Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO). We sought to report the prevalence and outcome of (AKI) according to the three existing definitions in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, medical records of all ELBW infants (<1000 g) admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) between Jan 2002 and Dec 2011 were reviewed. Infants’ demographics, anthropometric measurements, and clinical characteristics were collected at the time of birth and at discharge from the NICU. Infants were staged according to the three different definitions.

Results

During the study period, 483 ELBW infants met our inclusion criteria. The incidence of AKI was 56, 59, and 60% according to pRIFLE, AKIN, and KDIGO, respectively. Mortality, NICU length of stay, and serum creatinine (SCr) at NICU discharge were higher in infants with advanced AKI stages regardless of the definition. In addition, discharge NICU weight and length z scores were lower in infants with advanced AKI stages. SCr at 72 h of life and SCr peak were predictable of NICU mortality [AUC 0.667 (95% CI 0.604–0.731), p < 0.001 and AUC 0.747 (95% CI 0.693–0.801), p < 0.001, respectively].

Conclusion

Regardless of the definition, advanced AKI is associated with increased mortality, prolonged NICU length of stay, and poor growth in ELBW infants. SCr at 72 h of life and SCr peak may be predictable of NICU mortality.

     

Epidemiological characteristics of and risk factors for patients with postoperative acute kidney injury: a multicenter prospective study in 30 Chinese intensive care units

Background

Although there were studies to investigate the risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) after surgery, most of them focused on one specific type of surgeries. The risk factors for postoperative AKI in patients undergoing all surgeries in intensive care units (ICU) have not been reported.

Methods

Data from 1731 patients undergoing surgery in 30 ICUs of 28 tertiary hospitals in Beijing from March to August 2012 were prospectively collected. AKI was defined and staged by the KDIGO criteria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess independent risk factors for postoperative AKI.

Results

Postoperative AKI occurred in 44.8% of patients (stage 1 54.8%; stage 2 21.9%, stage 3 23.3%). Cardiovascular surgery was identified as an independent factor for postoperative AKI as well as emergency surgery [odds ratio (OR) 1.403], nephrotoxic drugs (OR 1.303), APACHE II score (OR 1.055), SOFA score (OR 1.115), duration for positive fluid balance (OR 1.165), use of diuretics (OR 2.293), sepsis (OR 1.501), and CKD (OR 4.517). AKI stage 3 versus stages 1–2 was associated with higher mortality in ICU, hospital, and 28-day follow-up after cardiovascular, abdominal, limb, and chest surgeries, while this was not observed after neurosurgery or other surgeries.

Conclusion

Risk factors for AKI in ICU patients after different types of surgery were identified. This might be the first step to reduce the high incidence of AKI after surgery. The presence of AKI in ICU patients was associated with higher mortality after most types of surgery, but not after neurosurgery.

Trial registration

ChiCTR-ONC-11001875.

     

RIFLE classification in geriatric patients with acute kidney injury in the intensive care unit

Background

The RIFLE classification is widely used to assess the severity of acute kidney injury (AKI), but its application to geriatric AKI patients complicated by medical problems has not been reported.

Methods

We investigated 256 geriatric patients (≥65 years old; mean age, 74.4 ± 6.3 years) who developed AKI in the intensive care unit (ICU) according to the RIFLE classification. Etiologic, clinical, and prognostic variables were analyzed.

Results

They were categorized into RIFLE-R (n = 53), RIFLE-I (n = 102), and RIFLE-F (n = 101) groups. The overall in-hospital mortality was 39.8 %. There were no significant differences in RIFLE category between survivors and non-survivors. Survivors had significantly less needs for a ventilator and vasopressor, and lower number of failing organs. Survivors had higher systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin level, and serum albumin levels. We performed a logistic regression analysis to identify the independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. In a univariate analysis, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, RIFLE classification, number of failing organs, need for a ventilator and vasopressor, systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin level, and serum albumin levels were identified as prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality. However, in a multivariate analysis, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, number of failing organs, and serum albumin levels were independent risk factors, with no significant difference for in-hospital mortality with the RIFLE classification.

Conclusion

The RIFLE classification might not be associated with mortality in geriatric AKI patients in the ICU. In geriatric patients with AKI, various factors besides severity of AKI should be considered to predict mortality.

     

The impact of body mass index on treatment outcomes among traumatic brain injury patients in intensive care units

Purpose

Obesity is a risk factor in treatment outcomes of critically ill patients. This study was conducted to determine the impact of obesity on the likelihood of recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods

We carried out a prospective study on 115 head injury patients who were admitted to the ICU of Poursina Hospital, Rasht, in the one-year period between July 2006 and June 2007. Obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m²) were compared with non-obese patients (BMI < 30 kg/m²). Demographic information, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation scores, Injury Severity Scores (ISS), Glasgow Coma Scale scores, and ICU mortality incidences were recorded.

Results

Obese patients had significantly higher ICU mortality rates compared to non-obese patients (p = 0.02). Furthermore, we observed a trend towards a higher ICU mortality rate in obese patients with ISS > 25 (p = 0.04). Moreover, obesity was associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay (ILOS), and hospital length of stay (HLOS) (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Obesity was associated with increased ICU mortality and prolonged dependency on mechanical ventilation, ILOS, and HLOS in patients with TBI. However, further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to substantiate these findings.     

Prognostic Significance of Acute Kidney Injury Following Emergency Laparotomy: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study

Aims

Post-operative acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and independent mortality risk factor carrying high clinical and economic cost. This study aimed to establish the incidence of AKI in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy (EL), to determine patients’ risk profile and consequent mortality.

Methods

Consecutive 239 patients of median age 68 (IQR 51–76) years, undergoing EL in a UK tertiary hospital, were studied. Primary outcome measure was AKI and in-hospital operative mortality.

Results

Ninety-five patients (39.7%) developed AKI, which was associated with in-hospital mortality in 32 patients (33.7%) compared with 7 patients (4.9%) without AKI. AKI occurred in 81.1% of all mortalities, but none occurred when AKI resolved within 48 h of EL. AKI was associated with chronic kidney disease, age, serum lactate, white cell count, pre-EL systolic blood pressure and tachycardia (p?<?0.010). Median length of hospital stay in AKI survivors was 15 days compared with 11 days in the absence of AKI (p?<?0.001). On multivariable analysis, only AKI at 48 h post-EL was significantly and independently associated with mortality [HR 10.895, 95% CI 3.152–37.659, p?<?0.001].

Conclusion

Peri-operative AKI after EL was common and associated with a more than sixfold significant greater mortality. Pre-operative risk profile assessment and prompt protocol-driven intervention should minimise AKI and reduce EL mortality.

     

Acute kidney injury after radical gastrectomy: a single center study

Objectives

To investigate the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and identify risk factors for AKI in patients who undergo radical gastrectomy.

Methods

This study included 536 patients underwent radical gastrectomy. Primary outcome was AKI, defined as a ≥50 % increase in serum creatinine relative to baseline during the first three postoperative days. Secondary outcomes were duration of hospitalization and all-cause hospital mortality within 30 days after radical gastrectomy.

Results

A total of 37 (6.9 %) patients developed postoperative AKI. Age, body mass index (BMI), presence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, poor blood glucose control, and preoperative higher cystatin C were associated with increased frequency of AKI. By multivariable analyses, the independent risk factors for AKI were age, BMI, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and preoperative cystatin C.

Conclusions

Postoperative AKI is not infrequent after radical gastrectomy. Age, BMI, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and preoperative cystatin C are independently associated with increased risk of postoperative AKI.     

A randomized clinical trial of high volume peritoneal dialysis versus extended daily hemodialysis for acute kidney injury patients

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring dialysis in critically ill patients is associated with an in-hospital mortality rate of 50–80 %. Extended daily hemodialysis (EHD) and high volume peritoneal dialysis (HVPD) have emerged as alternative modalities.

Methods

A double-center, randomized, controlled trial was conducted comparing EHD versus HVPD for the treatment for AKI in the intensive care unit (ICU). Four hundred and seven patients were randomized and 143 patients were analyzed. Principal outcome measure was hospital mortality, and secondary end points were recovery of renal function and metabolic and fluid control.

Results

There was no difference between the two groups in relation to median ICU stay [11 (5.7–20) vs. 9 (5.7–19)], recovery of kidney function (26.9 vs. 29.6 %, p = 0.11), need for chronic dialysis (9.7 vs. 6.5 %, p = 0.23), and hospital mortality (63.4 vs. 63.9 %, p = 0.94). The groups were different in metabolic and fluid control. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and bicarbonate levels were stabilized faster in EHD group than in HVPD group. Delivered Kt/V and ultrafiltration were higher in EHD group. Despite randomization, there were significant differences between the groups in some covariates, including age, pre-dialysis BUN, and creatinine levels, biased in favor of the EHD. Using logistic regression to adjust for the imbalances in group assignment, the odds of death associated with HVPD was 1.4 (95 % CI 0.7–2.4, p = 0.19). A detailed investigation of the randomization process failed to explain the marked differences in patient assignment.

Conclusions

Despite faster metabolic control and higher dialysis dose and ultrafiltration with EHD, this study provides no evidence of a survival benefit of EHD compared with HVPD. The limitations of this study were that the results were not presented according to the intention to treat and it did not control other supportive management strategies as nutrition support and timing of dialysis initiation that might influence outcomes in AKI.     

Preoperative plasma FGF23 levels predict acute kidney injury in children: results of a pilot study

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) carries a large burden of morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis may lead to better strategies of clinical care. Cardiac surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with a significant incidence of AKI. The study objective was to determine whether or not preoperative fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) levels differed among pediatric patients who did or did not develop AKI following cardiac surgery.

Methods

A nested case–control study was performed. FGF23 levels were measured pre- and post-operatively in 19 children without chronic kidney disease (CKD) who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass. Five patients developed AKI and 14 patients served as controls.

Results

FGF23 levels in patients who developed AKI following cardiac surgery were elevated above normal levels, both pre-operatively and post-operatively compared with those patients who did not develop AKI. Relative risk of developing AKI when the pre-operative FGF23 level was >86 RU/mL was 2.0 (p?=?0.033). Preoperative FGF23 levels correlated with post-operative fluid gain (correlation coefficient 0.607, p?=?0.0059).

Conclusions

FGF23 may serve as a pre-operative prognostic indicator of the development of AKI following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in pediatric patients without CKD. Identifying patients more likely to have AKI following surgery provides a means of achieving closer clinical management of AKI and fluid balance.     

Timing the initiation of renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury in Canadian intensive care units: a multicentre observational study

Purpose

The optimal timing for starting renal replacement therapy (RRT) in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) is unknown. Defining current practice is necessary to design interventional trials. We describe the current Canadian practice regarding the timing of RRT initiation for AKI.

Methods

An observational study of patients undergoing RRT for AKI was undertaken at 11 intensive care units (ICUs) across Canada. Data were captured on demographics, clinical and laboratory findings, indications for RRT, and timing of RRT initiation.

Results

Among 119 consecutive patients, the most common ICU admission diagnosis was sepsis/septic shock, occurring in 54%. At the time of RRT initiation, the median and interquartile range (IQR) serum creatinine level was 322 (221-432) ??mol·L^?1. The mean (SD) values for other parameters were as follows: Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score 13.4 (4.1), pH 7.25 (0.15), potassium 4.6 (1.0) mmol·L^?1. Also, 64% fulfilled the serum creatinine-based criterion for Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) stage 3. Severity of illness, measured using Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) and SOFA scores, did not correlate with AKI severity as defined by the serum creatinine-based AKIN criteria. Median (IQR) time from hospital and ICU admission to the start of RRT was 2.0 (1.0-7.0) days and 1.0 (0-2.0) day, respectively.

Conclusion

Patients admitted to an ICU who were started on RRT generally had advanced AKI, high-grade illness severity, and multiorgan dysfunction. Also, they were started on RRT shortly after hospital presentation. We describe the current state of practice in Canada regarding the initiation of RRT for AKI in critically ill patients, which can inform the designs of future interventional trials.     

L-FABP can be an early marker of acute kidney injury in children

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common postoperative complication following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery. New biomarkers to identify patients with early AKI (before increases in serum creatinine) are needed to facilitate appropriate treatment. This study aimed to test the role of urinary liver fatty-acid-binding protein (L-FABP) as an early biomarker for AKI in children undergoing CPB surgery.

Methods

This is a case–control study of children undergoing CPB. AKI was defined as 50 % increase in serum creatinine at 48 h after surgery. For each patient, five serum and urine samples were obtained corresponding to time 0 h (presurgery) and 2, 6, 24, and 48 h after surgery.

Results

Twenty-seven patients, median age 360 days, were enrolled. AKI developed in 11 patients (41 %); three needed renal replacement therapy (peritoneal dialysis); there were two deaths. There were significant differences between patients with and without AKI in L-FABP levels at 2, 6, and 48 h after surgery, length of hospital stay, and CPB time; there were no differences in gender, patient age, and body weight. L-FABP was normalized to urinary creatinine concentration at all time points, with area under the receiver operator curve (AUC ROC) 0.867 at 2 and 6 h postoperatively. Correlation coefficient between L-FABP and length of hospital stay after surgery was statistically significant (r?=?0.722, p value?=?0.000).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that urinary L-FABP can be used to diagnose AKI earlier than rise in serum creatinine in children undergoing CPB.     

Increased incidence of postoperative infections during prophylaxis with cephalothin compared to doxycycline in intestinal surgery

Background

The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III prognostic system has not been previously validated in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We hypothesized that APACHE III would perform satisfactorily in patients after OLT

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed. Patients admitted to the ICU after OLT between July 1996 and May 2008 were identified. Data were abstracted from the institutional APACHE III and liver transplantation databases and individual patient medical records. Standardized mortality ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) were calculated by dividing the observed mortality rates by the rates predicted by APACHE III. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the Hosmer-Lemeshow C statistic were used to assess, respectively, discrimination and calibration of APACHE III.

Results

APACHE III data were available for 918 admissions after OLT. Mean (standard deviation [SD]) APACHE III (APIII) and Acute Physiology (APS) scores on the day of transplant were 60.5 (25.8) and 50.8 (23.6), respectively. Mean (SD) predicted ICU and hospital mortality rates were 7.3% (15.4) and 10.6% (18.9), respectively. The observed ICU and hospital mortality rates were 1.1% and 3.4%, respectively. The standardized ICU and hospital mortality ratios with their 95% C.I. were 0.15 (0.07 to 0.27) and 0.32 (0.22 to 0.45), respectively. There were statistically significant differences in APS, APIII, predicted ICU and predicted hospital mortality between survivors and non-survivors. In predicting mortality, the AUC of APACHE III prediction of hospital death was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.62 to 0.68). The Hosmer-Lemeshow C statistic was 5.288 with a p value of 0.871 (10 degrees of freedom).

Conclusion

APACHE III discriminates poorly between survivors and non-survivors of patients admitted to the ICU after OLT. Though APACHE III has been shown to be valid in heterogenous populations and in certain groups of patients with specific diagnoses, it should be used with caution – if used at all – in recipients of liver transplantation.     

Predictors of prolonged intensive care unit stay in patients undergoing coronary surgery

Background

We aimed to investigate the factors affecting the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay in patients undergoing isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass (CABG). We also aimed to evaluate effective factors on morbidity, mortality, and survival among patients with prolonged ICU stay.

Methods

Between January 2002 and December 2009, a total of 1,657 patients underwent isolated on-pump CABG in our clinic. Prolonged ICU stay (>2 days) was present in 532 patient (32.1 %).

Results

Diabetes (OR 1.49, P?=?0.006), hypertension (OR 1.37, P?=?0.029), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 9.06, P?P?P?P?=?0.023), prolonged inotropic support (OR 40.40, P?P?=?0.022), postoperative renal insufficiency (OR 4.50, P?=?0.004), postoperative atrial fibrillation (OR 8.00, P?3 units) (OR 3.23, P?=?0.007) were the independent predictive factors of prolonged ICU stay (>2 days). Postoperative mortality rate was 7 % (n?=?37) and 2.3 % (n?=?26) in patients with length of ICU stay >2 days and length of ICU stay ≤2 days (P?2 days (P?Conclusions Postoperative mortality was higher in patients with prolonged ICU stay. Mean follow-up was shorter in patients with prolonged ICU stay.     

Severe acute hypophosphatemia during renal replacement therapy adversely affects outcome of critically ill patients with acute kidney injury

Purpose

Hypophosphatemia during renal replacement therapy (RRT) is common in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). The clinical consequences of RRT-induced phosphate depletion are not well defined in this patient population, and there is no evidence that intravenous sodium phosphate supplementation (PS) prevents the clinical sequelae of acute hypophosphatemia. The purpose of this retrospective analysis of the Acute Renal Support Registry of the University of Munich was to examine the association between severe hypophosphatemia and severity of and recovery from AKI.

Methods

289 ICU patients with AKI on intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) were included in the study. One hundred and forty-nine patients received PS during IHD. Outcomes were short-term (at discharge) and long-term (at 1 year) recovery of renal function and mortality.

Results

The two patient groups did not differ in demographics, clinical features, renal characteristics, and frequency of hypophosphatemia at initiation of IHD. Without PS, the frequency of hypophosphatemia increased from 20 to 35%. Severe hypophosphatemia was found in 50% of these patients. By comparison, PS was not associated with an increased frequency of hypophosphatemia. Compared with patients with acute phosphate depletion, patients receiving PS developed less oliguria during IHD, had shorter duration of AKI, higher incidence of complete renal recovery at discharge, and a lower risk of de novo chronic kidney disease. Hypophosphatemia was associated with higher all-cause in-hospital mortality and higher risk of long-term mortality.

Conclusions

This multicenter study indicates for the first time that hypophosphatemia during IHD adversely affects short- and long-term outcome of critically-ill patients with AKI. The clinical consequences of the acute hypophosphatemic syndrome may be prevented by PS.     

Deferred Primary Anastomosis Versus Diversion in Patients with Severe Secondary Peritonitis Managed with Staged Laparotomies

Background

There is inconclusive data on whether critically ill individuals with severe secondary peritonitis requiring multiple staged laparotomies may became eligible candidates for deferred primary anastomoses (DPA). We sought to compare a protocol for DPA against a protocol for diversion in severely ill critical patients with intra-abdominal sepsis.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed examining 112 patients admitted through an ICU between 2002 and 2006, with diagnosis of secondary peritonitis and managed with staged laparotomies whom required small- or large-bowel segment resections. Patients were categorized and compared according to the surgical treatment necessitated to resolve the secondary peritonitis (DPA versus diversion). Outcome measures were days on mechanical ventilation, days required in ICU, days required in hospital, incidence of fistulas/leakages, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and mortality.

Results

There were 34 patients subjected to DPA and 78 to diversion. Fistulas/leakages developed in three patients (8.8%) with DPA and four patients (5.1%) with diversion (p = 0.359). ARDS was present in 6 patients (17.6%) with DPA and 24 patients (30.8%) with diversion (p = 0.149). There were 30 patients (88.2%) with DPA and 65 patients (83.3%) with diversion discharged alive (p = 0.51). There were not statistical significant differences between groups among survivors regarding hospital length of stay, ICU length of stay, and days on mechanical ventilation.

Conclusions

We did not find significant differences in morbidity or mortality when we compared DPA versus diversion surgical treatment. It is feasible to perform a primary anastomosis in critically ill patients with severe secondary peritonitis managed with staged laparotomies.