Incidence, risk factors, and mortality of acute kidney injury within 1-month after lung transplantation

Abstract Background After lung transplantation (LT), some patients are at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI), which is associated with worse outcomes and increased mortality. Method Among 161 patients who underwent LT at Severance hospital in Seoul, Korea from October 2012 to September 2017, 148 patients were retrospectively enrolled. Results 59 (39.8%) developed AKI within 1-month after LT. Stage I or II, and stage III AKI were recorded in 26 (17.5%) and 33 (22.2%), respectively. AKI III usually occurred within 7 days after transplantation (early vs. late AKI III, 72.5% vs 21.1%). Pre-operative anemia, units of red blood cells transfused during surgery, colistin intravenous infusion for treating multi drug resistant pathogens were independent risk factors for AKI development. Post-operative bleeding, grade 3 PGD within 72 hrs, and sepsis were more common in the AKI group. Patients with AKI III ([24/33] 72.7%) had significantly higher 1-year mortality than the no-AKI ([18/89] 20.2%), and AKI I or II group ([9/26] 34.6%), log-rank test, P < 0.001). Conclusion AKI was associated with worse post-operative outcome, 3-month, and 1-year mortality after LT. Severity of AKI was usually determined in early post op period after LT, so optimal post-operative management as well as recipients selection should be considered.