Intermittent Hemodialysis for Managing Metabolic Acidosis During Resuscitation of Septic Shock: A Descriptive Study

Effect of CytoSorb Coupled with Hemodialysis on Interleukin-6 and Hemodynamic Parameters in Patients with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Excessive release of cytokines during systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) often leads to refractory hypotension and multiple organ failure with high mortality. Cytokine removal with hemoadsorption has emerged as a possible adjuvant therapy, but data on interleukin-6 (IL-6) reduction and outcomes in clinical practice are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the effect of CytoSorb hemoadsorption on laboratory and clinical outcomes in shocked patients with SIRS. We designed a retrospective analysis of all patients with SIRS treated with CytoSorb in intensive care units (ICU). IL-6, laboratory and hemodynamic parameters were analyzed at approximate time intervals during CytoSorb treatment in the whole cohort and in a subgroup with septic shock. Observed and predicted mortality rates were compared. We included 118 patients with various etiologies of SIRS (septic shock 69%, post-resuscitation shock 16%, SIRS with acute pancreatitis 6%, other 9%); in all but one patient, CytoSorb was coupled with renal replacement therapy. A statistically significant decrease in IL-6 and vasopressor index with an increase in pH and mean arterial pressure was observed from 6 h onward. The reduction of lactate became significant at 48 h. Results were similar in a subgroup of patients with septic shock. Observed ICU and in-hospital mortalities were lower than predicted by Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) (61% vs. 79%, p = 0.005) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II (64% vs. 78%, p = 0.031) scores. To conclude, hemoadsorption in shocked patients with SIRS was associated with a rapid decrease in IL-6 and hemodynamic improvement, with improved observed vs. predicted survival. These results need to be confirmed in a randomized study.

The incidence, risk factors and outcomes of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients undergoing emergency surgery: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Without sufficient evidence in postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients undergoing emergency surgery, it is meaningful to explore the incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of postoperative AKI.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted in the general intensive care units (ICUs) from January 2014 to March 2018. Variables about preoperation, intraoperation and postoperation were collected. AKI was diagnosed using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria.

RESULTS

Among 383 critically ill patients undergoing emergency surgery, 151 (39.4%) patients developed postoperative AKI. Postoperative reoperation, postoperative Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score, and postoperative serum lactic acid (LAC) were independent risk factors for postoperative AKI, with the adjusted odds ratio (ORadj) of 1.854 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.091-3.152), 1.059 (95%CI, 1.018-1.102), and 1.239 (95%CI, 1.047-1.467), respectively. Compared with the non-AKI group, duration of mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, ICU and hospital mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay, total ICU and hospital costs were higher in the AKI group.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative reoperation, postoperative APACHE II score, and postoperative LAC were independent risk factors of postoperative AKI in critically ill patients undergoing emergency surgery.

Changing the terminology from kidney replacement therapy to kidney support therapy

Kidney replacement therapy (KRT) is a common supportive treatment for renal dysfunction, especially acute kidney injury. However, critically ill or immunosuppressed patients with renal dysfunction often have dysfunction in other organs as well. To improve patient outcomes, clinicians began to initiate kidney replacement therapy in situations where nonrenal conditions may lead to acute kidney injury, such as septic shock, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, veno-occlusive renal disease, cardiopulmonary bypass, chemotherapy, tumor lysis syndrome, hyperammonemia, and various others. In this review, we discuss the use of various modes of kidney replacement therapy in treating renal and nonrenal complications to illustrate why kidney support therapy is a more appropriate terminology than kidney replacement therapy.