Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) Common in Intensive Care Units

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill surgical patients and is associated with worse survival, researchers reported online ahead of print in the Journal of Critical Care.

In a retrospective study of 624 general surgical intensive care unit patients, Donald G. Harris, MD, and colleagues at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore found that AKI developed in 296 (47%), with 42% of the AKI events present upon admission and 36% occurring postoperatively. Patients with AKI had significantly worse outcomes, including increased inpatient and 1-year mortality.

In addition, AKI starting before admission was associated with worse renal dysfunction and greater renal morbidity than de novo inpatient AKI.

From the October 01, 2014 Issue of Renal and Urology News