Probing the Association between Acute Kidney Injury and Cardiovascular Outcomes

Hemodialysis Prescription and In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Patients With Acute Kidney Injury: A Single-Center Study

INTRODUCTION

Cardiac arrest is a common cause of death among patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis; however, the prevalence and risk factors for cardiac arrest in the setting of acute kidney injury (AKI) are not studied in detail.

METHODS

Patients who received hemodialysis for AKI between 2014 and 2024 were classified as those who experienced cardiac arrest during hemodialysis (group A) and patients who had cardiac arrest during hospitalization outside the hemodialysis session (group B). Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the odds of cardiac arrest during the hemodialysis session versus outside the session.

FINDINGS

Among the 1702 patients who received hemodialysis for AKI, 33 (0.02%) experienced cardiac arrest at the time of hemodialysis (group A), and 100 (0.06%) had cardiac arrest outside the session (group B). Previous history of atrial fibrillation was more common in group A (39% vs. 19%, p = 0.017). Groups were comparable in terms of oxygen or vasopressor requirement and baseline mean serum creatinine. Metabolic acidosis was more severe, and serum blood urea nitrogen and calcium levels were higher in group B (p < 0.05). Ultrafiltration rates were higher in group A than in group B (mean 10.6 mL/h/kg vs. 6.2 mL/h/kg, p < 0.001). There were more deaths in group A within the first 24 h following cardiac arrest (79% vs. 48%, p < 0.05); however, spontaneous recirculation and overall in-hospital mortality were comparable. In the multivariate regression model, atrial fibrillation (OR = 4.91, 95% CI 1.35-17.8, p = 0.016), lower pre-dialysis serum calcium levels (OR = 2.66, 95% CI 1.25-5.65, p = 0.011), and higher ultrafiltration volume (OR = 10.9, 95% CI 3.90-30.5, p < 0.001) were independently associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrest during hemodialysis sessions.

DISCUSSION

History of atrial fibrillation, lower pre-dialysis serum calcium levels, and higher ultrafiltration volumes are associated with an increased risk of cardiac arrest during hemodialysis than cardiac arrest outside the hemodialysis session in the AKI setting.

Acute kidney injury as a key predictor of cardiovascular events in chronic kidney disease patients: the CKD-REIN study

Background and Hypothesis

Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been increasingly recognized as a potential exacerbating factor for cardiovascular events in these patients. The CKD-REIN study aims to explore the relationship between AKI and the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in a cohort of CKD patients. We hypothesize that AKI is a significant and independent predictor of MACE in patients with CKD, and that the severity of AKI correlates with the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 3033 adult CKD patients from 40 outpatient nephrology clinics in France. Patients were followed for a median of 5.2 years. AKI episodes were identified and staged based on the KDIGO-AKI criteria. Cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure hospitalization, and cardiovascular death, were systematically recorded. The association between AKI and MACE was analyzed using a multivariable Cox model, adjusting for confounders such as demographic characteristics, medical history, and baseline kidney function.

Results

During the follow-up, 530 patients experienced at least one episode of AKI. The cumulative incidence of MACE at 1 year post-AKI was 8.1%. Patients with AKI had a significantly increased risk of MACE, with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 5.78 (P < .001). The risk was consistent across different MACE components and was independent of age, sex, CKD stage, or comorbidities. The risk of MACE was higher for more severe AKI stages and for AKI events requiring hospitalization or associated with incomplete renal recovery.

Conclusion

The findings of this study confirm that AKI is a significant independent predictor of MACE in CKD patients, demonstrating a strong severity-response relationship. These results underscore the importance of vigilant cardiovascular monitoring and preventive strategies in CKD patients following AKI episodes. Understanding the mechanisms linking AKI to cardiovascular outcomes is crucial for developing targeted interventions to mitigate these risks.

Clinicopathological Characteristics and Prognosis of Lupus Nephritis Patients with Acute Kidney Injury

INTRODUCTION

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in lupus nephritis (LN) and a risk factor for chronic kidney failure. Here, we aimed to assess the characteristics and prognosis of LN patients with AKI.

METHODS

AKI and AKI severity stages in LN patients were defined by the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) classification. Long-term renal outcomes and patient mortality between different stages of AKI were compared by Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of 1272 LN patients, 225 (17.69%) had AKI and 72 (5.66%) were AKI stage 3. Compared with the non-AKI group, the proportion of male patients was significantly higher in the AKI group (p = 0.002). In addition, there were markedly higher proportions of hematologic system damage, more severe renal manifestations, and higher Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group. The active and chronic lesions in renal biopsy were significantly higher in LN patients with AKI than those without AKI. During a median follow-up of 53 months, Kaplan-Meier curve showed that LN patients with AKI stage 3 had significantly poorer long-term renal outcomes (p = 0.002) and patient survival (p < 0.001) than those without AKI. Furthermore, AKI stage 3, but not stage 1 or 2 was significantly associated with adverse renal outcomes (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-6.28, p = 0.048) and all-cause mortality (HR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.18-6.61, p = 0.019) in LN patients. In patients with AKI, increased baseline serum creatinine and severe glomerular sclerosis were independent risk factors for worse renal outcomes, while higher blood pressure, increased baseline serum creatinine, and anti-Sjogren's syndrome A positivity could indicate poor survival.

DISCUSSION

LN patients with AKI stage 3, but not stages 1 and 2, have poorer long-term renal outcomes and patient survival. Our study demonstrates the importance of early identification and management of AKI in LN patients.