Development of a Risk Score for AKI onset in COVID-19 Patients: COV-AKI Score.

PURPOSE: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in COVID-19 patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In the present study, we aimed to develop a prognostic score to predict AKI development in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of 2334 COVID 19 patients admitted to 23 different hospitals in Brazil, between January 10th and August 30rd, 2020. The primary outcome of AKI was defined as any increase in serum creatinine (SCr) by 0.3 mg/dL within 48 h or a change in SCr by ≥ 1.5 times of baseline within 1 week, based on Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. All patients aged ≥ 18 y/o admitted with confirmed SARS-COV-2 infection were included. Discrimination of variables was calculated by the Receiver Operator Characteristic Curve (ROC curve) utilizing area under curve. Some continuous variables were categorized through ROC curve. The cutoff points were calculated using the value with the best sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: A total of 1131 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the ICU were included. Patients mean age was 52 ± 15,8 y/o., with a prevalence of males 60% (n = 678). The risk of AKI was 33% (n = 376), 78% (n = 293) of which did not require dialysis. Overall mortality was 11% (n = 127), while for AKI patients, mortality rate was 21% (n = 80). Variables selected for the logistic regression model and inclusion in the final prognostic score were the following: age, diabetes, ACEis, ARBs, chronic kidney disease and hypertension. CONCLUSION: AKI development in COVID 19 patients is accurately predicted by common clinical variables, allowing early interventions to attenuate the impact of AKI in these patients.

Intraoperative fluid balance and cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury: a multicenter prospective study

Abstract Background Recent data suggest the regime of fluid therapy intraoperatively in patients undergoing major surgeries may interfere in patient outcomes. The development of postoperative Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) has been associated with both Restrictive Fluid Balance (RFB) and Liberal Fluid Balance (LFB) during non-cardiac surgery. In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, this influence remains unclear. The study objective was to evaluate the relationship between intraoperative RFB vs. LFB and the incidence of Cardiac-Surgery-Associated AKI (CSA-AKI) and major postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing on-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). Methods This prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study was set at two high-complexity university hospitals in Brazil. Adult patients who required postoperative intensive care after undergoing elective on-pump CABG were allocated to two groups according to their intraoperative fluid strategy (RFB or LFB) with no intervention. Results The primary endpoint was CSA-AKI. The secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, cardiovascular complications, ICU Length of Stay (ICU-LOS), and Hospital LOS (H-LOS). After propensity score matching, 180 patients remained in each group. There was no difference in risk of CSA-AKI between the two groups (RR = 1.15; 95% CI, 0.85-1.56, p= 0.36). The in-hospital mortality, H-LOS and cardiovascular complications were higher in the LFB group. ICU-LOS was not significantly different between the two groups. ROCcurve analysis determined a fluid balance above 2500 mL to accurately predict in-hospital mortality. Conclusion Patients undergoing on-pump CABG with LFB when compared with patients with RFB present similar CSA-AKI rates and ICU-LOS, but higher in-hospital mortality, cardiovascular complications, and H-LOS.

Intraoperative fluid balance and cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury: a multicenter prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest the regime of fluid therapy intraoperatively in patients undergoing major surgeries may interfere in patient outcomes. The development of postoperative Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) has been associated with both Restrictive Fluid Balance (RFB) and Liberal Fluid Balance (LFB) during non-cardiac surgery. In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, this influence remains unclear. The study objective was to evaluate the relationship between intraoperative RFB vs. LFB and the incidence of Cardiac-Surgery-Associated AKI (CSA-AKI) and major postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing on-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). METHODS: This prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study was set at two high-complexity university hospitals in Brazil. Adult patients who required postoperative intensive care after undergoing elective on-pump CABG were allocated to two groups according to their intraoperative fluid strategy (RFB or LFB) with no intervention. RESULTS: The primary endpoint was CSA-AKI. The secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, cardiovascular complications, ICU Length of Stay (ICU-LOS), and Hospital LOS (H-LOS). After propensity score matching, 180 patients remained in each group. There was no difference in risk of CSA-AKI between the two groups (RR = 1.15; 95% CI, 0.85-1.56, p = 0.36). The in-hospital mortality, H-LOS and cardiovascular complications were higher in the LFB group. ICU-LOS was not significantly different between the two groups. ROCcurve analysis determined a fluid balance above 2500 mL to accurately predict in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing on-pump CABG with LFB when compared with patients with RFB present similar CSA-AKI rates and ICU-LOS, but higher in-hospital mortality, cardiovascular complications, and H-LOS.

Early versus delayed initiation of renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury: an updated systematic review, meta-analysis, meta-regression and trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials. / Início precoce em comparação ao início tardio da terapia de substituição renal para lesão renal aguda: revisão sistemática atualizada, metanálise, metarregressão e análise sequencial de ensaios clínicos randomizados e controlados.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether early initiation of renal replacement therapy is associated with lower mortality in patients with acute kidney injury compared to delayed initiation. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing early versus delayed initiation of renal replacement therapy in patients with acute kidney injury without the life-threatening acute kidney injury-related symptoms of fluid overload or metabolic disorders. Two investigators extracted the data from the selected studies. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess the quality of the studies, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to test the overall quality of the evidence. RESULTS: Six randomized controlled trials (1,292 patients) were included. There was no statistically significant difference between early and delayed initiation of renal replacement therapy regarding the primary outcome (OR 0.82; 95%CI, 0.48 - 1.42; p = 0.488), but there was an increased risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection when renal replacement therapy was initiated early (OR 1.77; 95%CI, 1.01 - 3.11; p = 0.047). The quality of evidence generated by our meta-analysis for the primary outcome was considered low due to the risk of bias of the included studies and the heterogeneity among them. CONCLUSION: Early initiation of renal replacement therapy is not associated with improved survival. However, the quality of the current evidence is low, and the criteria used for -early- and -delayed- initiation of renal replacement therapy are too heterogeneous among studies.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar se, em comparação ao início tardio, o início precoce da terapia de substituição renal se associa com menor mortalidade em pacientes com lesão renal aguda. MÉTODOS: Conduzimos uma revisão sistemática e metanálise de ensaios clínicos randomizados e controlados, que compararam terapia de substituição renal com início precoce àquela com início tardio em pacientes com lesão renal aguda, sem sintomas relacionados à insuficiência renal aguda que oferecessem risco à vida, como sobrecarga hídrica ou distúrbios metabólicos. Dois investigadores extraíram os dados a partir de estudos selecionados. Utilizaram-se a ferramenta Cochrane Risk of Bias, para avaliar a qualidade dos estudos, e a abordagem Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE), para testar a qualidade geral da evidência. RESULTADOS: Incluíram-se seis estudos clínicos randomizados e controlados (1.292 pacientes). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre o início precoce e tardio da terapia de substituição renal, no que se referiu ao desfecho primário (OR 0,82; IC95% 0,48 - 1,42; p = 0,488). Foi maior o risco de infecção da corrente sanguínea relacionada ao cateter quando a terapia de substituição renal foi iniciada precocemente (OR 1,77; IC95% 1,01 - 3,11; p = 0,047). A qualidade da evidência gerada por nossa metanálise para o desfecho primário foi considerada baixa, em razão do risco de viés dos estudos incluídos e da heterogeneidade entre eles. CONCLUSÃO: O início precoce da terapia de substituição renal não se associou com melhora da sobrevivência. Entretanto, a qualidade da evidência atual é baixa, e os critérios utilizados para início precoce e tardio da terapia de substituição renal foram demasiadamente heterogêneos entre os estudos.

Início precoce em comparação ao início tardio da terapia de substituição renal para lesão renal aguda: revisão sistemática atualizada, metanálise, metarregressão e análise sequencial de ensaios clínicos randomizados e controlados / Early versus delayed initiation of renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury: an updated systematic review, meta-analysis, meta-regression and trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar se, em comparação ao início tardio, o início precoce da terapia de substituição renal se associa com menor mortalidade em pacientes com lesão renal aguda. Métodos: Conduzimos uma revisão sistemática e metanálise de ensaios clínicos randomizados e controlados, que compararam terapia de substituição renal com início precoce àquela com início tardio em pacientes com lesão renal aguda, sem sintomas relacionados à insuficiência renal aguda que oferecessem risco à vida, como sobrecarga hídrica ou distúrbios metabólicos. Dois investigadores extraíram os dados a partir de estudos selecionados. Utilizaram-se a ferramenta Cochrane Risk of Bias, para avaliar a qualidade dos estudos, e a abordagem Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE), para testar a qualidade geral da evidência. Resultados: Incluíram-se seis estudos clínicos randomizados e controlados (1.292 pacientes). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre o início precoce e tardio da terapia de substituição renal, no que se referiu ao desfecho primário (OR 0,82; IC95% 0,48 - 1,42; p = 0,488). Foi maior o risco de infecção da corrente sanguínea relacionada ao cateter quando a terapia de substituição renal foi iniciada precocemente (OR 1,77; IC95% 1,01 - 3,11; p = 0,047). A qualidade da evidência gerada por nossa metanálise para o desfecho primário foi considerada baixa, em razão do risco de viés dos estudos incluídos e da heterogeneidade entre eles. Conclusão: O início precoce da terapia de substituição renal não se associou com melhora da sobrevivência. Entretanto, a qualidade da evidência atual é baixa, e os critérios utilizados para início precoce e tardio da terapia de substituição renal foram demasiadamente heterogêneos entre os estudos.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate whether early initiation of renal replacement therapy is associated with lower mortality in patients with acute kidney injury compared to delayed initiation. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing early versus delayed initiation of renal replacement therapy in patients with acute kidney injury without the life-threatening acute kidney injury-related symptoms of fluid overload or metabolic disorders. Two investigators extracted the data from the selected studies. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess the quality of the studies, and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to test the overall quality of the evidence. Results: Six randomized controlled trials (1,292 patients) were included. There was no statistically significant difference between early and delayed initiation of renal replacement therapy regarding the primary outcome (OR 0.82; 95%CI, 0.48 - 1.42; p = 0.488), but there was an increased risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection when renal replacement therapy was initiated early (OR 1.77; 95%CI, 1.01 - 3.11; p = 0.047). The quality of evidence generated by our meta-analysis for the primary outcome was considered low due to the risk of bias of the included studies and the heterogeneity among them. Conclusion: Early initiation of renal replacement therapy is not associated with improved survival. However, the quality of the current evidence is low, and the criteria used for -early- and -delayed- initiation of renal replacement therapy are too heterogeneous among studies.

The duration of acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery increases the risk of long-term chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (Dasta et al., Nephrol Dial Transplant 23(6):1970-1974, 2008) following cardiac surgery is associated with higher perioperative morbidity and mortality, but its impact on long term development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is uncertain. METHODS: A total of 350 patients submitted to elective cardiac surgery were evaluated for AKI, defined as an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) ≥ 0.3 mg/dL over baseline value. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to study pre, intra and postoperative parameters associated with occurrence CKD after 12 months of follow-up. RESULTS: AKI incidence was 41 % (n = 88). The 12-month prevelence of CKD was 9 % (n = 19) in non-AKI patients versus 25 % (n = 54, p < 0.0001) in the AKI group. The factors identified as independent risk factors for long-term CKD development in the multivariate logistic regression model were age >60 years, hospitalization serum creatinine >0.8 mg/dL, peripheral artery disease, hemorrhage and AKI duration > 3 days. CONCLUSION: Patients developing AKI after cardiac surgery presented high prevalence of long-term incident CKD. The duration of AKI was a strong independent risk factor for this late CKD development. Recognition of predictive factors for CKD development following cardiac surgery-associated AKI may help to develop strategies to prevent or halt CKD progression in this population.

Defining and treating acute kidney injury patients in Brazilian intensive care units: Results from a cross-sectional nationwide survey.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to characterize the practices of Brazilian intensivists toward acute kidney injury (AKI) definition and management. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 36 Brazilian hospitals. RESULTS: Of 731 ICU physicians invited to participate, 310 (42%) responded to the survey. Nearly half of the intensive care unit (ICU) physicians (146/310) do not apply AKIN and/or RIFLE definitions to their ICU patients. Most of the respondents prescribe intravenous fluids as a first-line therapeutic intervention for AKI patients. Although 38% of the surveyed physicians considered worsening of respiratory parameters to be the main criterion for stopping fluid infusion, only 15% considered daily net fluid balance as a criterion. Most of the respondents believed in the benefits of early renal replacement therapy (RRT) and considered worsening acidosis the most important criteria for starting early RRT. The main reason for a nephrologist referral was an urgently needed RRT. CONCLUSIONS: Despite recent advances in AKI definition and management, most of the surveyed ICU physicians in Brazil have not incorporated them in their clinical practice. Important differences in the management of AKI patients were observed among Brazilian ICU physicians, which is relevant for educational interventions and future research.

Comparative analysis of survival between elderly and non-elderly severe sepsis and septic shock resuscitated patients / Análise comparativa da sobrevida de idosos e não idosos com sepse grave ou choque séptico ressuscitados

Objective To compare outcomes between elderly (≥65 years old) and non-elderly (<65 years old) resuscitated severe sepsis and septic shock patients and determine predictors of death among elderly patients.Methods Retrospective cohort study including 848 severe sepsis and septic shock patients admitted to the intensive care unit between January 2006 and March 2012.Results Elderly patients accounted for 62.6% (531/848) and non-elderly patients for 37.4% (317/848). Elderly patients had a higher APACHE II score [22 (18-28)versus 19 (15-24); p<0.001], compared to non-elderly patients, although the number of organ dysfunctions did not differ between the groups. No significant differences were found in 28-day and in-hospital mortality rates between elderly and non-elderly patients. The length of hospital stay was higher in elderly compared to non-elderly patients admitted with severe sepsis and septic shock [18 (10-41)versus 14 (8-29) days, respectively; p=0.0001]. Predictors of death among elderly patients included age, site of diagnosis, APACHE II score, need for mechanical ventilation and vasopressors.Conclusion In this study population early resuscitation of elderly patients was not associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Prospective studies addressing the long-term impact on functional status and quality of life are necessary.

Objetivo Comparar os resultados obtidos com a ressuscitação de idosos (≥65 anos) e não idosos (<65 anos) com sepse grave ou choque séptico e determinar os preditores de óbito em pacientes idosos.Métodos Estudo de coorte retrospectivo com 848 pacientes com sepse grave ou choque séptico admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva entre janeiro de 2006 e março de 2012.Resultados Pacientes idosos representaram 62,6% (531/848) e não idosos 37,4% (317/848) dos pacientes. Pacientes idosos apresentaram maior escore APACHE II [22 (18-28) versus 19 (15-24); p<0,001] em comparação com pacientes não idosos, embora o número de disfunções orgânicas não tenha sido diferente entre os grupos. Não se observaram diferenças significativas na mortalidade hospitalar e em 28 dias entre pacientes idosos e não idosos, embora o tempo de internação hospitalar tenha sido superior nos pacientes idosos, em comparação com não idosos [18 (10-41) versus 14 (8-29) dias, respectivamente; p=0,0001]. Foram preditores de óbito entre pacientes idosos a idade, o local do diagnóstico, o escore APACHE II e a necessidade de ventilação mecânica e vasopressores.Conclusão A ressuscitação de pacientes idosos com sepse grave ou choque séptico não associou-se ao aumento de mortalidade hospitalar. Estudos prospectivos são necessários para avaliação do impacto a longo prazo no estado funcional e qualidade de vida dos pacientes idosos ressuscitados.

Comparative analysis of survival between elderly and non-elderly severe sepsis and septic shock resuscitated patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes between elderly (≥65 years old) and non-elderly (<65 years old) resuscitated severe sepsis and septic shock patients and determine predictors of death among elderly patients. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including 848 severe sepsis and septic shock patients admitted to the intensive care unit between January 2006 and March 2012. RESULTS: Elderly patients accounted for 62.6% (531/848) and non-elderly patients for 37.4% (317/848). Elderly patients had a higher APACHE II score [22 (18-28)versus 19 (15-24); p<0.001], compared to non-elderly patients, although the number of organ dysfunctions did not differ between the groups. No significant differences were found in 28-day and in-hospital mortality rates between elderly and non-elderly patients. The length of hospital stay was higher in elderly compared to non-elderly patients admitted with severe sepsis and septic shock [18 (10-41)versus 14 (8-29) days, respectively; p=0.0001]. Predictors of death among elderly patients included age, site of diagnosis, APACHE II score, need for mechanical ventilation and vasopressors. CONCLUSION: In this study population early resuscitation of elderly patients was not associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Prospective studies addressing the long-term impact on functional status and quality of life are necessary.

Transfusion requirements in surgical oncology patients: a prospective, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have indicated that a restrictive erythrocyte transfusion strategy is as safe as a liberal one in critically ill patients, but there is no clear evidence to support the superiority of any perioperative transfusion strategy in patients with cancer. METHODS: In a randomized, controlled, parallel-group, double-blind (patients and outcome assessors) superiority trial in the intensive care unit of a tertiary oncology hospital, the authors evaluated whether a restrictive strategy of erythrocyte transfusion (transfusion when hemoglobin concentration <7 g/dl) was superior to a liberal one (transfusion when hemoglobin concentration <9 g/dl) for reducing mortality and severe clinical complications among patients having major cancer surgery. All adult patients with cancer having major abdominal surgery who required postoperative intensive care were included and randomly allocated to treatment with the liberal or the restrictive erythrocyte transfusion strategy. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: A total of 198 patients were included as follows: 101 in the restrictive group and 97 in the liberal group. The primary composite endpoint occurred in 19.6% (95% CI, 12.9 to 28.6%) of patients in the liberal-strategy group and in 35.6% (27.0 to 45.4%) of patients in the restrictive-strategy group (P = 0.012). Compared with the restrictive strategy, the liberal transfusion strategy was associated with an absolute risk reduction for the composite outcome of 16% (3.8 to 28.2%) and a number needed to treat of 6.2 (3.5 to 26.5). CONCLUSION: A liberal erythrocyte transfusion strategy with a hemoglobin trigger of 9 g/dl was associated with fewer major postoperative complications in patients having major cancer surgery compared with a restrictive strategy.

Palliative dialysis: a change of perspective.

The aging phenomenon of dialysis patients is a worldwide reality, observed in developed and developing countries. Those patients have high incidence of chronic conditions along with high mortality rates and for some of them a decline in functional status within the first 12 months of dialysis therapy. Nevertheless, the elderly dialysis patients represent a very heterogeneous group where prognostic tools may help the decision-making process together with family members, medical staff and the patients. Despite the fact that there are many validated prognostic tools in elderly population, no score has the aim to guide the decision to withhold or withdrawn the dialysis procedure; therefore, in many cases, a time-limited trial is supported. After the failure of improvement in life quality and certitude of the poor prognosis, the withdrawing from renal replacement therapy can be done. Medical literature, from developed countries, brings robust evidence that the process of withdrawing the dialysis procedure, after a fail in the so-called "time-limited trial", along with good quality palliative care in this scenario is related to a good quality of death. We, on the other hand, believe that the withdrawing process in countries where hospice and good palliative care is not a reality may be associated with bad outcomes. Therefore, this review discusses a way to improve end-of-life symptoms in countries where palliative care facilities are not a reality, the so-called "palliative dialysis".