SARS-COV2 Renal Impairment in Critical Care: A Retrospective Study of 42 Cases - Kid COVID Study

Abstract BackgroundThe new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection leads to 5% to 16% hospitalization in Intensive Care Units (ICU) and is associated with 23% to 75% of kidney impairments, including acute kidney injury (AKI), as a major prognosis factor. The current work aims to characterize the renal impairment associated to SARS-CoV-2 in ICU patients, to evaluate its risk factors and its relationship with morbidity and mortality. Methods Forty-two patients consecutively admitted to the ICU of a university hospital (Paris, France) who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between March 25, 2020 and April 29, 2020 were included and classified in categories according to their renal function. Complete renal profiles and their evolution during ICU stay were fully characterized in 34 patients. Factors associated with AKI were identified through univariate analysis.ResultsThirty-two patients (94,1%) met diagnostic criteria for intrinsic renal injury with a mixed pattern of tubular and glomerular injuries within the first week of ICU admission, that lasted upon discharge. During their ICU stay, 24 patients (57.1%) presented AKI which was associated with increased mortality (p = 0.007), hemodynamic failure (p = 0.022), and more altered clearance at hospital discharge (p = 0.001). AKI occurrence was associated with lower pH (p = 0.024), higher PaCO2 (p = 0.027), PEEP (p = 0.027), procalcitonin (p = 0.015), and CRP (p = 0.045) on ICU admission.ConclusionsCritical SARS-CoV-2 is associated with persistent intrinsic renal injury and AKI, which is a risk factor of mortality. Identifying SARS-CoV-2 patients at risk of AKI will help in modifying clinical practice in ICU. Trial registration In accordance with the French law on biomedical research, this study obtained the approval of an Institutional Review Board (“Comité d’Éthique de la Recherche en Anesthésie-Réanimation” under the reference IRB 00010254 ‐ 2020 ‐ 106). Patients were all informed of the possible use of their data in researches as well as their right and terms of objection. Data were collected and integrated anonymously into a secure database in accordance with the French CNIL MR-004 methodology (registration number 20200803123416).