Risk Factors for Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in the PICU: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Variations of renal Doppler indices during the initial 24-hour predict acute kidney injury in patients with sepsis: A single-center observational case-control clinical study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective observational case-control study was to examine the significance of different renal Doppler marker variations within the initial 24-hour period as potential predictors of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in patients with sepsis.

METHODS

A total of 198 sepsis patients were enrolled and categorized into two groups: the AKI group (n = 136) and the non-AKI group (n = 62). Three renal Doppler indices, Renal Resistive Index (RRI), Power Doppler Ultrasound (PDU) score and Renal Venous Stasis Index (RVSI), were measured within 6h (T0) and at 24h (T1) after ICU admission.

RESULTS

The AKI group had more hypertension patients than the non-AKI group (p = 0.047). The cases of the AKI group showed higher levels of CRP (p = 0.001), PCT (p < 0.001), lactate (p < 0.001), AST (p = 0.003), ALT (p = 0.049), total bilirubin (p = 0.034), BNP (p = 0.019) and cTnI (p = 0.012). The RRI at T1 was significantly higher in the AKI group (p = 0.037). AKI group exhibited a lower incidence of reduced RRI at T1 compared with non-AKI group (p < 0.001). After controlling for age, sex, and BMI through partial correlation analysis, the results indicated significant associations between SA-AKI and CVP (r = -0.473), SOFA score (r = 0.425), lactate (r = 0.378), and RRI reduction (r = -0.344) in sepsis patients. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that variables including CVP, SOFA score, CRP, lactate, VIS, and RRI not reduced following 24h of ICU treatment were predictive indicators for early detection of SA-AKI in sepsis patients.

CONCLUSION

CVP, SOFA score, CRP, lactate, VIS, and RRI not reduction following 24h of ICU treatment can be utilized as predictive indicators for early detection of SA-AKI in sepsis patients.

Beta-Lactam Antibiotic Exposure During Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Retrospective Cohort Analysis of Drug Levels Using Standard Dosing, 2018-2020

OBJECTIVES

Children on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are at high risk of infection that may worsen prognosis. Even though treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics is frequent, dosing is not adapted to altered pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics of children on ECMO. There is, therefore, a risk of inadequate drug levels when using standard dosing. In this study, we aimed to describe beta-lactam exposures of children on ECMO using current dosing and to identify factors associated with inadequate exposure. The optimal pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic target was considered as a plasma concentration four times above the minimum inhibitory concentration throughout the dosing interval target.

DESIGN

Two-center retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Two PICUs in Paris, France.

PATIENTS

Children (from birth to 18 yr) undergoing venovenous or venoarterial ECMO, from 2018 to 2020.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

There were 57 patients who received 11 different beta-lactams, with 226 plasma concentrations analyzed. A total of 32 infections were documented. Overall, 133 of 226 concentrations (58.8%) were insufficient, primarily in samples from children younger than 28 days (p = 0.035), with low body weight (p = 0.013), or in instances of hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.011) and increased renal clearance (p = 0.032). Supratherapeutic concentrations were observed in 25 of 226 samples (11.1%), associated with being taken from patients with renal impairment (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective cohort of pediatric ECMO cases, there is an associated risk of underexposure when prescribing conventional dosing of beta-lactams, which are likely associated with renal impairment and fluid overload. Prospective testing of therapeutic drug monitoring combined with pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic models should be tested as a risk-reduction strategy in this vulnerable population.

Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Outcomes of Severe Acute Kidney Injury in Pediatric Acute Liver Failure: Single-Center Retrospective Study, 2003-2017

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to determine the prevalence and explanatory factors associated with outcomes in children with acute liver failure (ALF) admitted to the PICU, who also develop severe acute kidney injury (AKI).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort, 2003 to 2017.

SETTING

Sixteen-bed PICU in a university-affiliated tertiary care hospital.

PATIENTS

Admissions to the PICU with ALF underwent data review of the first week and at least 90-day follow-up. Patients with stages 2-3 AKI using the British Association of pediatric Nephrology definitions, or receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for renal indications, were defined as severe AKI. We excluded ALF cases on CRRT for hepatic-only indications.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Baseline characteristics, proportion with severe AKI, illness severity and interventions, and outcomes (i.e., transplant, survival with native liver, overall survival, duration of PICU stay, and mechanical ventilation). Ninety-four children with ALF admitted to the PICU were included. Over the first week, 29 had severe AKI, and another eight received CRRT for renal/mixed reno-hepatic indications; hence, the total severe AKI cohort was 37 of 94 (39.4%). In a multivariable logistic regression model, peak aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and requirement for inotropes on arrival were associated with severe AKI. Severe AKI was associated with longer PICU stay and duration of ventilation, and lower spontaneous survival with native liver. In another model, severe AKI was associated with greater odds of mortality (odds ratio 7.34 [95% CI, 1.90-28.28], p = 0.004). After 90 days, 3 of 17 survivors of severe AKI had serum creatinine greater than the upper limit of normal for age.

CONCLUSIONS

Many children with ALF in the PICU develop severe AKI. Severe AKI is associated with the timecourse of PICU admission and outcome, including survival with native liver. Future work should look at ALF goal directed renoprotective strategies at the time of presentation.

Acute kidney injury in children undergoing cardiac surgery: predictive value of kidney arterial Doppler-based variables

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common condition in critically ill children and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the performance of point-of-care ultrasonography to predict AKI in children undergoing cardiac surgery.

METHODS

In this prospective study, consecutive children underwent kidney Doppler ultrasound examination within 24 h following cardiac surgery, and an experienced operator obtained both renal resistive index (RRI) and renal pulsatility index (RPI). AKI was defined by the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) criteria. The primary outcome was the diagnosis of severe AKI (KDIGO stage 2 or 3) on day 3.

RESULTS

A total of 58 patients were included. Median age and weight were 12.9 months (IQR 6.0-37.9) and 7.36 kg (IQR 5.19-11.40), respectively. On day 3, 13 patients were classified as having AKI, of which 11 were severe. RRI could effectively predict AKI (area under the ROC curve [AUC] 0.83, 95% CI 0.71-0.92; p < 0.001) as well as RPI (AUC 0.81, 95% CI 0.69-0.90; p < 0.001). The optimal cutoff value for RRI was 0.85 (sensitivity, 73%; specificity, 83%; positive predictive value [PPV], 50%; and negative predictive value [NPV], 93%), while for RPI was 1.95 (sensitivity, 73%; specificity, 78%; PPV, 44%; and NPV, 92%). Similar results were found in the analysis for prediction on day 5. Significant correlations were found between Doppler-based variables and estimated GFR and furosemide dose on day 3.

CONCLUSIONS

Kidney Doppler ultrasound may be a promising tool for predicting AKI in children undergoing cardiac surgery.