Outcome of Acute Kidney Injury in Critical Care Unit, Based on AKI Network

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is an unsolved clinical problem in critical care patients with a high mortality rate, increasing incidence, and no definitive therapy. We studied the incidence, risk factors, and mortality associated with AKI in ICU patients.

In a prospective study, patient demographics, reason for hospitalization, reason for ICU admission, Length of ICU stay, laboratory data, and Vital signs were recorded in prepared forms during the ICU stay. AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine (SCr) of ≥ 0.3mg/dl from the baseline.

A total of 200 patients who were enrolled in our study; 134 (67%) did not develop AKI during their ICU stay while 66 (33%) developed AKI (SCr ≥ 0.3) according to the AKIN definition. Patients with AKI had higher APACHE II scores (12.3±5.6 vs. 6.9±3.6; P< 0.001), longer ICU stays (7.6±7.6 vs. 3.7±2.8 days respectively; P< 0.001), and higher mortality (19.7% vs. 0.7%; P< 0.001).

The AKIN criteria are clinically valid and can be a good predictor of mortality and patient outcome in addition to APACHE II score in ICU patients.