The Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Prognosis of Acute Kidney Injury After Lung Transplantation: A Single-Center Cohort Study in China.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) after lung transplantation (LTx).

Methods: Records of patients who underwent LTx in a single center were retrospectively reviewed. The prevalence of post-transplant AKI, the use of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and the risk factors for AKI were investigated. The effects of AKI and CRRT on short-term outcomes and long-term survival were measured.

Results: This study included 148 patients, 67 of which developed postoperative AKI. Of these, 31 patients underwent CRRT; the percentage of cases with no AKI was 6.2%, and the percentage of cases with stage 1, 2, and 3 who used CRRT was 0%, 10%, and 86.2%, respectively. Patients with AKI had significantly higher intensive care unit mortality and in-hospital mortality. The 1-year post-LTx survival rate of patients with AKI was 47.8%, significantly lower than those without AKI (74.1%). There was no difference in 1-year survival rate of those with stage 1 and stage 2 AKI, but patients with stage 3 AKI showed the worst survival. Patients who underwent CRRT had an inferior survival outcome (9.7% vs 76.1%, P < .05). We found that higher acute physiologic assessment and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II scores (odds ratio [OR] 1.082, P = .009) and higher intraoperative fluid balance (OR 1.001, P = .012) were independent risk factors, and female sex (OR 2.539) and pulmonary hypertension (OR 2.869) were potential risk factors for post-LTx AKI. A prediction model integration of the above factors showed a good concordance with actual risks and had a concordance index (C-index) of 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-0.87).

Conclusion: Severe AKI requiring CRRT had a negative impact on the short-term and long-term outcomes of patients.