Renal Replacement Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury: Which Mode and When?

The Effect of Perioperative Fluid Therapy on Postoperative Renal Functions in Patients Receiving Liver Transplantation from Living Donors: A Retrospective Observational Study

Background

Perioperative fluid management (PFM) is critical in liver transplantation, especially regarding its impact on postoperative renal function. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in liver transplant recipients, often influenced by the type and volume of fluids administered during the perioperative period. This study investigates the effects of different fluid management strategies on renal outcomes following liver transplantation from living donors.

Patients and methods

This retrospective observational study included 91 liver transplant recipients who were categorized into three groups based on their PFM strategy: restrictive (n = 1), moderate (n = 34), and liberal (n = 56). Data were collected from patient medical records, focusing on fluid types, peak serum creatinine levels, urine output, and length of hospital stay. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and logistic regression, were conducted to assess renal outcomes among the groups.

Results

The moderate fluid management group demonstrated the best renal outcomes, with the lowest peak serum creatinine (1.02 ± 0.25 mg/dL) and shorter ICU stays (2.47 ± 0.62 days) compared to the liberal fluid strategy group (1.40 ± 0.92 mg/dL and 2.88 ± 0.83 days, respectively). Moreover, liberal fluid strategies were associated with fluid overload and increased peak serum creatinine levels. Intraoperative fluid administration showed a greater protective effect on renal function compared to postoperative fluid administration.

Conclusions

Moderate PFM, particularly with careful intraoperative fluid administration, is optimal for minimizing the risk of AKI and improving renal outcomes in liver transplant patients. These findings emphasize the importance of individualized fluid therapy in reducing renal complications after liver transplantation.

How to cite this article

Kızılcık N. The Effect of Perioperative Fluid Therapy on Postoperative Renal Functions in Patients Receiving Liver Transplantation from Living Donors: A Retrospective Observational Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2025;29(3):251-261.

Mortality and mode of dialysis: meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

The global use of kidney replacement therapy (KRT) has increased, mirroring the incidence of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Despite its growing clinical usage, patient outcomes with KRT modalities remain controversial. In this meta-analysis, we sought to compare the mortality outcomes of patients with any kidney disease requiring peritoneal dialysis (PD), hemodialysis (HD), or continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

METHODS

The investigation was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were screened for randomized trials and observational studies comparing mortality rates with different KRT modalities in patients with acute or chronic kidney failure. A random-effects model was applied to compute the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) with CRRT vs. HD, CRRT vs. PD, and HD vs. PD. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics, and sensitivity using leave-one-out analysis.

RESULTS

Fifteen eligible studies were identified, allowing comparisons of mortality risk with different dialytic modalities. The relative risk was non-significant in CRRT vs. PD [RR = 0.95, (95%CI 0.53, 1.73), p = 0.92 from 4 studies] and HD vs. CRRT [RR = 1.10, (95%CI 0.95, 1.27), p = 0.21 from five studies] comparisons. The findings remained unchanged in the leave-one-out sensitivity analysis. Although PD was associated with lower mortality risk than HD [RR = 0.78, (95%CI 0.62, 0.97), p = 0.03], the significance was lost with the exclusion of 4 out of 5 included studies.

CONCLUSION

The current evidence indicates that while patients receiving CRRT may have similar mortality risks compared to those receiving HD or PD, PD may be associated with lower mortality risk compared to HD. However, high heterogeneity among the included studies limits the generalizability of our findings. High-quality studies comparing mortality outcomes with different dialytic modalities in CKD are necessary for a more robust safety and efficacy evaluation.

Incidence of Post-laparotomy Acute Kidney Injury Among Abdominal Trauma Patients and Its Associated Risk Factors at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh

Background This research study investigates the prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in trauma patients undergoing emergency laparotomies. AKI is a common complication in major surgeries and is associated with various adverse effects. The study aims to explore the relationship between AKI and other comorbidities in this specific context. Methodology This is a retrospective cohort study. All patients who had laparotomy after abdominal trauma at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) and met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Nonprobability consecutive sampling was used. Data were collected by chart review using the Best-Care system at KAMC. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and describe the characteristics of the study participants. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for categorical variables, such as comorbidities. For continuous variables, mean and standard deviations were calculated and tabulated. All statistical calculations were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 27.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results This research study included 152 patients who underwent laparotomy, and the majority of patients (146, 96%) did not experience AKI. Several comorbidities were observed, with hypertension and diabetes being the most prevalent at 37 (24.3%) and 35 (23%), respectively. Intraoperative hypotension was experienced by 23 (15.1%) patients, while 129 (84.9%) did not have this issue. Norepinephrine was the most common vasopressor used (25.7%), followed by ephedrine and a combination of norepinephrine and epinephrine. Gender and age groups did not show significant associations with AKI, comorbidities like diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) demonstrated significant relationships with AKI. There was no significant difference in eGFR and serum creatinine baseline levels between patients meeting AKI criteria and those who did not. Conclusions The low overall incidence of AKI in this patient population is encouraging. However, healthcare professionals must be aware of the significant impact of comorbidities such as diabetes, heart failure, and CKD on AKI development. Vigilant monitoring of postoperative kidney function, particularly serum creatinine levels within the first 48 hours, is essential for early detection and timely intervention. By understanding and addressing these risk factors, healthcare providers can take proactive steps to prevent and manage AKI in patients undergoing laparotomy, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.

Measurement of Serum Levels of 5 Amino Acids and Dimethylamine Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Patients without Septic Associated Acute Kidney Injury and with Septic Associated Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

BACKGROUND Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common organ failures. An early diagnosis of AKI using specific biomarkers is essential for effective treatment. This study determined the serum concentrations of selected amino acids and amines using targeted liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in patients with AKI during sepsis and septic shock treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). MATERIAL AND METHODS A sample of 41 patients was divided into 2 groups: (1) patients with sepsis and septic shock along required continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) due to AKI (n=13), and (2) patients with sepsis and septic shock but without AKI (n=28). LC-MS/MS was used to measure a serum concentration of 6 amino acids and amines: arginine, ornithine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), dimethylamine (DMA), and citrulline. RESULTS There was a statistically significantly higher median DMA level in AKI patients compared to those without AKI (8.1 vs 5.2 umol/L; P=0.022). The results for the remaining molecules showed no significant differences (P>0.05). Patients with DMA ≥14.95 umol/L (n=5; 100%) and treated with CRRT presented DMA level below the cut-off point (n=7; 20%). Subjects with creatinine levels ≥1.19 mg/dL (n=11; 28%) and treated with CRRT presented creatinine levels below the cut-off point (n=1; 3%). CONCLUSIONS In patients with sepsis, increased serum levels of DMA were significantly associated with AKI requiring CRRT. It remains unclear whether increased DMA concentrations are secondary to sepsis-induced AKI or are a cause.

Serum Albumin Before CRRT Was Associated With the 28- and 90-Day Mortality of Critically Ill Patients With Acute Kidney Injury and Treated With Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Introduction: Although low serum albumin (ALB) may worsen acute kidney injury (AKI), additional study is needed to establish the connection between ALB and the prognosis of critically ill patients with AKI and treated with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Methods:A secondary analysis of a bi-center, retrospective, and observational study, such as critically ill patients with AKI and treated with CRRT from January 2009 to September 2016. The univariate analysis, multi-factor regression analysis, sensitivity analysis, and curve-fitting analysis were applied to explore the association of ALB with the 28 and 90 days mortality of critically ill patients with AKI and treated with CRRT, and the removal efficiency of serum phosphorus. Results: From January 2009 to September 2016, 1,132 cases with AKI and treated with CRRT met the inclusion criteria and enrolled in this study. We found that the higher ALB before CRRT, the lower the 28- and 90-day mortality of patients with AKI and treated with CRRT, the higher removal efficiency of serum phosphorus, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) value for 28-day mortality in the four models were separately 0.92 (0.90, 0.95), 0.91 (0.89, 0.94), 0.92 (0.89, 0.95), and 0.92 (0.89, 0.95); the adjusted HR value for 90 day mortality in the four models were 0.91 (0.89, 0.94), 0.92 (0.89, 0.95), 0.92 (0.89, 0.95), and 0.92 (0.89, 0.96); the adjusted OR value for the removal efficiency of serum phosphorus in the four models were separately -0.04 (-0.07, -0.01), -0.05 (-0.08, -0.01), -0.04 (-0.08, -0.01), and -0.04 (-0.08, -0.01). The sensitivity analysis and curve-fitting analysis also showed that ALB before CRRT was correlated with the 28 and 90 days mortality of critically ill patients with AKI and treated with CRRT and the removal efficiency of serum phosphorus. Conclusion: The higher the serum ALB before CRRT, the lower the mortality of critically ill patients with AKI and treated with CRRT, and the higher the clearance efficiency of serum phosphorus.

How Have Nutrition Practices in the ICU Changed in the Last Decade (2011-2020): A Scoping Review

Malnutrition is more prevalent in the critically ill than ambulatory patients due to a variety of factors. Strategies employed in the optimization of nutrition practices rely largely on the review of published literature and guidelines. While the last decade was marked by some landmark large randomized controlled trials taking place and some high-quality systematic reviews, it still has left us with many unanswered questions. The evidence generated by these trials can, to a good extent, extrapolate to the developed countries. However, its implementation in developing and third-world countries needs further elaboration and logistical considerations. With this scoping review, we attempt to provide insights into the landmark developments in the decade 2011-2020. Solutions to employ and implement the results of these developments and ways for their corroboration into a larger population are also discussed.