Risk factors and associated complications of acute kidney injury in adult patients undergoing a craniotomy

Abstract

Objective: Understanding the risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) after craniotomy may help clinicians identify perioperative patients at risk for AKI and lead clinicians to institute preventive measures. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with AKI after craniotomy and understand whether patients who develop AKI after craniotomy have worse clinical outcomes.

Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective, propensity score matched cohort study consisting of 344 patients who developed an AKI or required renal dialysis post-operatively versus those who did not. An AKI was defined using a composite of two NSQIP variables: progressive renal insufficiency and acute renal failure. All data were derived from the American College of Surgeons National Safety Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) between 2009-2017.

Results: Of the 50,691 patients who underwent a craniotomy, 202 developed post-operative AKI or required post-operative renal dialysis. Male gender, black race, age 65 and older, and a body mass index 30 or greater were associated with AKI. Patients with hypertension (OR [95 % CI] 4.41 [3.21-6.06]; p < 0.001), diabetes (OR [95 % CI] 3.5 [2.62-4.69]; p < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR [95 % CI] 2.27 [1.4-3.69]; p = 0.001), congestive heart failure (OR [95 % CI] 8.17 [4.29-15.58]; p < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (OR [95 % CI] 10.59 [6.09-18.41]; p < 0.001), bleeding disorder (OR [95 % CI] 3.83 [2.59-5.65]; p < 0.001), those who developed sepsis (OR [95 % CI] 4.63 [3.33-6.45]; p < 0.001), and emergent craniotomy (OR [95 % CI] 5.35 [4.05-7.06); p < 0.00) were more likely to develop AKI. The largest association between AKI after surgery was found in patients whose preoperative functional status was totally dependent in activities of daily living (OR [95 % CI] 5.93 [3.53-9.95]; p < 0.001). AKI was associated with a higher number of complications experienced by each patient (OR [95 % CI] 1.79 [1.4-2.3; p < 0.001]. Patients with higher ASA physical status were more likely to develop AKI, and mortality was significantly higher in the AKI cohort. There was a significant increase in the rates of returning to the operating room, failure to wean from the ventilator, unplanned intubations, number of complications, and length of stay between the two groups. AKI was also associated with a higher rate of perioperative pneumonia, venous thromboembolism, urinary tract infection, and sepsis.

Conclusion: AKI is associated with significantly worse clinical outcomes after craniotomy. Perioperative strategies for prevention, management and supportive care of AKI for patients undergoing craniotomy may improve clinical outcomes.

Keywords: Acute kidney injury; Complications; Craniotomy; Mortality; Outcomes; Renal failure.