Acute Kidney Injury Secondary to Abdominal Compartment Syndrome: Biomarkers, Pressure Variability, and Clinical Outcomes

Background and Objectives: Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is a severe clinical condition caused by intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH), often observed in surgical and trauma patients. However, ACS can also develop in non-surgical patients with massive ascites, leading to acute kidney injury (AKI) due to renal hypoperfusion. This study investigates the association between intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) changes, renal biomarkers, and mortality in patients with ACS-related AKI. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 24 hospitalized patients with ascites due to malignancy, cirrhosis, or heart failure. IAP was measured via the trans-vesical method on the first and seventh days of hospitalization. Serum and urinary biomarkers, including kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were assessed for their correlation with IAP changes. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and the secondary outcomes included AKI progression and the effect of paracentesis on IAP reduction. Results: The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 50%. Patients who survived had significantly lower IAP on the seventh day compared to those who died (14.9 ± 3.5 mmHg vs. 20.2 ± 5.6 mmHg, p = 0.01). A 25% reduction in IAP was associated with improved kidney function and increased survival (p < 0.001). Urinary KIM-1 and serum NGAL levels showed a moderate correlation with IAP (r = 0.55, p = 0.02 and r = 0.61, p = 0.018, respectively), while IL-6 levels were significantly higher in non-survivors (p = 0.03). Paracentesis was associated with improved survival outcomes (p = 0.04). Conclusions: ACS is a critical but often overlooked cause of AKI in non-surgical patients with massive ascites. Lowering IAP significantly improves renal function and reduces mortality. Urinary KIM-1 and serum NGAL may serve as useful biomarkers for monitoring IAP changes. The early identification and management of IAH through timely interventions such as paracentesis and volume control strategies could improve patient outcomes.

Mediators of Regional Kidney Perfusion during Surgical Pneumo-Peritoneum Creation and the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury—A Review of Basic Physiology

Acute kidney injury (AKI), especially if recurring, represents a risk factor for future chronic kidney disease. In intensive care units, increased intra-abdominal pressure is well-recognized as a significant contributor to AKI. However, the importance of transiently increased intra-abdominal pressures procedures is less commonly appreciated during laparoscopic surgery, the use of which has rapidly increased over the last few decades. Unlike the well-known autoregulation of the renal cortical circulation, medulla perfusion is modulated via partially independent regulatory mechanisms and strongly impacted by changes in venous and lymphatic pressures. In our review paper, we will provide a comprehensive overview of this evolving topic, covering a broad range from basic pathophysiology up to and including current clinical relevance and examples. Key regulators of oxidative stress such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, the activation of inflammatory response and humoral changes interacting with procedural pneumo-peritoneum formation and AKI risk will be recounted. Moreover, we present an in-depth review of the interaction of pneumo-peritoneum formation with general anesthetic agents and animal models of congestive heart failure. A better understanding of the relationship between pneumo-peritoneum formation and renal perfusion will support basic and clinical research, leading to improved clinical care and collaboration among specialists.

Surgery in the Obese Pregnant Patient

This chapter reviews issues which complicate surgery in obese pregnant patients. Maternal obesity is prevalent in the United States and is associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. When surgery is indicated during pregnancy, the presence of maternal obesity increases surgical risks for both the fetus and mother. Specific risks are identified and strategies to avoid them are evaluated. The prognosis and management of pregnant women who have undergone bariatric surgery is also discussed, and practical guidelines for obstetric management of these patients are presented.

Evaluation of renal oxygenization in laparoscopic pediatric surgery by near infrared spectroscopy

PURPOSE

Increased intraabdominal pressure IAP may reduce renal blood flow (RBF). The study aims to evaluate the pneumoperitoneum effect on RBF by comparing renal regional oxygen saturation index (rSrO2) measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in pediatric patients having laparotomy and laparoscopy.

METHODS

Of 58 patients having laparoscopy and laparotomy, 18 were excluded due to renal pathologies, combined open surgical procedures, and administration of inotropic drugs. Hemodynamic parameters and rSrO2 were recorded in laparoscopy (n = 20) and laparotomy (n = 20) groups before induction and with 5 min intervals up to 60 min and at post-extubation.

RESULTS

Decrease in right renal rSrO2 at 45th and 60th min and 30th, 45th and 60th min in left were significant in the laparoscopy group compared to laparotomy group. In the laparoscopy group, reductions at T25, T30, T45, and T60 were significant in both renal rSrO2. Renal rSO2 increased to normal with desufflation.

CONCLUSION

IAP with pneumoperitoneum may lead to renal hypoxia in children. Renal rSO2 returns to normal with desufflation. Renal NIRS monitorization might be needed in patients with renal parenchymal and vascular pathologies, solitary kidney, and multiorgan pathologies that may affect renal oxygenation.

Venous blood flow in maternal kidneys in third trimester of pregnancy

Objectives: Maternal intra-abdominal pressure and hemodynamics change during pregnancy. The left renal vein may be compressed between the uterus and the spine and aorta, causing congestion and impaired venous return from the left kidney during late pregnancy. The aim of this study was to compare venous and arterial blood flow between the right and left kidney in the third trimester in women without known pregnancy complications.Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 50 women with uncomplicated third-trimester pregnancies at Trondheim University Hospital, Norway, from January to April 2018. The arterial and venous blood flow were examined with pulsed wave Doppler in the hilum of the kidneys and the cross section of the area (CSA) of the vessels was measured from 3D acquisitions. Two diameters of the main vein and artery were measured after rotating the image of the vessels in the C-plane to be as circular as possible. CSA was calculated as π×(mean diameter/2)². Blood flow volume (ml/minute) in the vessels were calculated as 0.5 × TAmax (cm/s)×CSA (cm²)×60. The main outcome was venous and arterial blood flow volumes, and secondary outcomes were maximum velocity (Vmax), minimum velocity (Vmin), pulsatile index (PI), time-averaged maximum flow (TAmax) and renal interolobar vein impedance index (RIVI). We also examined possible associations between blood flow and maternal age, BMI and blood pressure.Results: We observed differences in venous flow parameters between the two kidneys. The mean total flow volume in the renal veins was 274 ml/min in the left vein versus 358 ml/min in the right vein (p=.10). Vmax, TAmax, PI, and RIVI were all significantly lower in the left renal vein. No differences in arterial blood flow between the two kidneys were found. BMI was negatively correlated to flow in the left renal vein (r= -0.28; p<.05), but not associated to flow in the right renal vein.Conclusion: We found that venous flow pattern differs between left and right renal veins in uncomplicated late pregnancies, but the total flow was not significantly different. New studies should be done in women with preeclampsia.

Role of Intra-abdominal Pressure in Early Acute Kidney Injury: A Prospective Cohort Study in Critically Ill Obstetric Patients

Aims:

This prospective cohort study evaluated intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and its role in causing acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill obstetric patients and utility of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) to predict AKI.

Methods:

A total of 50 eligible obstetric patients admitted to our Intensive Care Unit were enrolled and daily IAP measured using indwelling Foley catheter. Early AKI was diagnosed as per the KDIGO criteria and urine assessed for NGAL using ELISA.

Results:

AKI was seen in 54% and intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) in 21% patients. In patients with and without AKI, there was statistically similar IAP on day 1 (P = 0.542) and day 2 (P = 0.907) as well as incidence of IAH (19% vs. 23%) (P = 0.766). Area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for IAP to predict early AKI was 0.499 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.325–0.673) (P = 0.992). Urinary NGAL concentration was significantly greater in patients with early AKI compared to those without (P = 0.006); AUC for urinary NGAL to detect early AKI was 0.734 (95% CI: 0.583–0.884) (P = 0.006) and optimal cutoff was 53.7 ng/ml.

Conclusions:

IAH and AKI are common in critically ill obstetric patients. While IAP does not correlate with early AKI, NGAL is useful to predict AKI.

Perioperative hemodynamics and outcomes of patients on metyrosine undergoing resection of pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma

INTRODUCTION

To describe outcomes of patients with metyrosine (MET) pretreatment for abdominal surgical resection of pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma (PCC/PGL) compared with patients who had phenoxybenzamine (PBZ) pretreatment.

METHODS

Retrospective review of perioperative outcomes for PCC/PGL patients treated with MET and propensity-matched comparison of MET and PBZ (MET + PBZ) with PBZ alone.

RESULTS

MET preparation was given in 63 cases (26 laparoscopic and 37 open, of which 55 also received PBZ). All patients had wide perioperative hemodynamic oscillations. Patients with open procedures required more intravenous fluids and blood transfusions; 35% required postoperative vasopressor infusions for hypotension and 38% developed acute kidney injury. One laparoscopic procedure required postoperative vasopressor infusion, and 12% of patients developed acute kidney injury. Forty-five MET + PBZ patients were propensity-matched with PBZ-only patients. Intraoperatively, MET + PBZ patients had lower minimum systolic and diastolic blood pressures than PBZ-only patients (median systolic, 74 vs 80 mm Hg, P = 0.01; median diastolic, 42 vs 46 mm Hg, P = 0.005) and larger intraoperative blood pressure oscillations (median systolic range, 112 vs 93 mm Hg, P = 0.06; median diastolic range, 58 vs 51 mm Hg, P = 0.02). Postoperative vasopressor infusion use was similar between MET + PBZ and PBZ only (16% vs 11%, P = 0.76). Major outcomes were not different between regimens.

CONCLUSION

Large hemodynamic oscillations were present in our PCC/PGL patients treated with MET + PBZ. These patients had a wider range of intraoperative blood pressure variations than PBZ-only patients. No differences in postoperative comorbid outcomes were found between MET + PBZ and PBZ-only groups.

Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Continuous Saline Irrigation Inside the Abdominal Cavity in Anesthetized Pigs

BACKGROUND

Water-filled laparoendoscopic surgery (WaFLES) has been proposed as a novel surgical system achieving a wide surgical field in the intra- and extraperitoneal space with continuous irrigation of isotonic fluid into the field. Despite its technical feasibility and advantages, the safety of the technique, particularly with respect to physiological functions, has not been evaluated.

METHODS

Various types of minor abdominal surgeries were performed under general anesthesia in nine adult pigs either by conventional laparoscopy (n = 3) or WaFLES (n = 6). In addition to esophageal temperature and body weight, cardiorespiratory variables such as blood pressure, heart rate, and arterial blood gas parameters were compared before and after the surgeries. Blood samples were obtained for assessing changes in biochemical parameters before and after the surgeries.

RESULTS

Three to seven hours of various surgeries were completed without critical cardiorespiratory events in all animals. Oxygenation and ventilation were maintained regardless of the techniques used for the surgeries. A minor increase of body weight (2.5% of initial body weight), metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, and impaired hepatic function were observed after WaFLES surgeries.

CONCLUSIONS

The preliminary study indicated no serious immediate adverse effects of the WaFLES technique.