Acute kidney injury in critically ill obstetric patients: a cross-sectional study in an intensive care unit in Northeast Brazil / Lesão renal aguda em pacientes obstétricas gravemente doentes: um estudo transversal em uma unidade de terapia intensiva do nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complication still poorly studied in the setting of obstetric patients, which is associated with increased mortality. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and risk factors of AKI among critically ill obstetric patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with all patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) due to obstetric complications, in Fortaleza, Brazil, in the period between January 2012 and December 2014. AKI was defined according to AKIN criteria. Results: A total of 389 patients were included, aged between 13 and 45 years. The main causes of ICU admission were pregnancy-related hypertensive syndromes (54.5%), hemorrhage and hemorrhagic shock (12.3%), heart diseases (9.0%), respiratory insufficiency (8.2%) and sepsis (5.4%). AKI was found in 92 cases (24%), and this was the most frequent complication. General mortality was 7.5%, and mortality due to AKI was 21% (p = 0.0007). In the multivariate analysis, risk factors for AKI were cesarian delivery (95% CI = 0.23-0.85, p = 0.01) and thrombocythopenia (95% CI = 1.50-4.36, p = 0.001). AKI was an independent risk factor for death (OR = 6.64, 95% CI = 3.11-14.15, p < 0.001). Conclusion: AKI was the main complication among critically ill obstetric patients and it was associated with increased mortality. Most cases were associated with pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders, which are complications that can be easily identified and treated during prenatal care.

Resumo Introdução: A lesão renal aguda (LRA) é uma complicação ainda pouco estudada no contexto das pacientes obstétricas, que está associada com aumento da mortalidade. Objetivo: Investigar a frequência e os fatores de risco da LRA entre pacientes obstétricas. Métodos: Foi realizado estudo transversal com todas as pacientes admitidas em uma unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) devido a complicações obstétricas em Fortaleza, Brasil, no período de janeiro de 2012 a dezembro de 2014. LRA foi definida de acordo com o critério AKIN. Resultados: Foram incluídas 389 pacientes, com idade entre 13 e 45 anos. As principais causas de admissão na UTI foram síndromes hipertensivas da gestação (54,5%), hemorragia e choque hemorrágico (12,3%), cardiopatias (9,0%), insuficiência respiratória (8,2%) e sepse (5,4%). LRA foi encontrada em 92 casos (24%), e esta foi a complicação mais frequente. A mortalidade geral foi de 7,5%, e a mortalidade por LRA foi de 21% (p = 0,0007). Na análise multivariada, os fatores de risco para LRA foram parto cesariano (IC 95% = 0,23-0,85, p = 0,01) e plaquetopenia (IC 95% = 1,50-4,36, p = 0,001). LRA foi um fator de risco independente para óbito (OR = 6,64, IC 95% = 3,11-14,15, p < 0,001). Conclusão: LRA foi a complicação mais frequente em pacientes obstétricas gravemente doentes e esteve associada com aumento da mortalidade. A maioria dos casos esteve associada às síndromes hipertensivas da gravidez, que são complicações passíveis de tratamento durante o pré-natal.

Acute kidney injury in critically ill obstetric patients: a cross-sectional study in an intensive care unit in Northeast Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complication still poorly studied in the setting of obstetric patients, which is associated with increased mortality. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and risk factors of AKI among critically ill obstetric patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with all patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) due to obstetric complications, in Fortaleza, Brazil, in the period between January 2012 and December 2014. AKI was defined according to AKIN criteria. RESULTS: A total of 389 patients were included, aged between 13 and 45 years. The main causes of ICU admission were pregnancy-related hypertensive syndromes (54.5%), hemorrhage and hemorrhagic shock (12.3%), heart diseases (9.0%), respiratory insufficiency (8.2%) and sepsis (5.4%). AKI was found in 92 cases (24%), and this was the most frequent complication. General mortality was 7.5%, and mortality due to AKI was 21% (p = 0.0007). In the multivariate analysis, risk factors for AKI were cesarian delivery (95% CI = 0.23-0.85, p = 0.01) and thrombocythopenia (95% CI = 1.50-4.36, p = 0.001). AKI was an independent risk factor for death (OR = 6.64, 95% CI = 3.11-14.15, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: AKI was the main complication among critically ill obstetric patients and it was associated with increased mortality. Most cases were associated with pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders, which are complications that can be easily identified and treated during prenatal care.