Body mass index is inversely associated with mortality in patients with acute kidney injury undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy

BACKGROUND: Many epidemiologic studies have reported on the controversial concept of the obesity paradox. The presence of acute kidney injury (AKI) can accelerate energy-consuming processes, particularly in patients requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Thus, we aimed to investigate whether obesity can provide a survival benefit in this highly catabolic condition. METHODS: We conducted an observational study in 212 patients who had undergone CRRT owing to various causes of AKI between 2010 and 2014. The study end point was defined as death that occurred within 30 days after the initiation of CRRT. RESULTS: Patients were categorized into three groups according to tertiles of body mass index (BMI). During ≥30 days after the initiation of CRRT, 39 patients (57.4%) in the highest tertile died, as compared with 58 patients (78.4%) in the lowest tertile (P = 0.02). In a multivariable analysis adjusted for cofounding factors, the highest tertile of BMI was significantly associated with a decreased risk of death (hazard ratio [HR], 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37–0.87; P = 0.01). This significant association remained unaltered for 60-day (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.43–0.94; P = 0.03) and 90-day mortality (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.44–0.97; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: This study showed that a higher BMI confer a survival benefit over a lower BMI in AKI patients undergoing CRRT.

Deep vein thrombosis caused by malignant afferent loop obstruction / 영남의대학술지

Afferent loop obstruction following gastrectomy is a rare but fatal complication. Clinical features of afferent loop obstruction are mainly gastrointestinal symptoms. A 56-year-old female underwent radical total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy for treatment of advanced gastric cancer. After fourteen months postoperatively, she showed gradual development of edema of both legs. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed disease progression at the jejunojejunostomy site and consequent dilated afferent loop, which resulted in inferior vena cava (IVC) compression. A drainage catheter was placed percutaneously into the afferent loop through the intrahepatic duct and an IVC filter was placed at the suprarenal IVC, and selfexpanding metal stents were inserted into bilateral common iliac veins. With these procedures, sympotms related with afferent loop obstruction and deep vein thrombosis were improved dramatically. The follow-up abdominal CT scan was taken 3 weeks later and revealed the completely decompressed afferent loop and improved IVC patency. Surgical treatment should be considered as the first choice for afferent loop obstruction; however, because it is more immediate and less invasive, non-surgical modalities, such as percutaneous catheter drainage or stent placement, can be effective alternatives for inoperable cases or risky patients who have severe medical comorbidities.