Occurrence of acute kidney injury in patients in critical condition hospitalized due to decompensated heart failure: a prospective observational study

Background: Heart failure is the leading diagnosis at hospital discharge for elderly patients. At least part of the extreme mortality and morbidity of HF has been considered attributable to the existence of co-morbid conditions. Perhaps one of the most important comorbidities in terms of pathophysiology, prognosis and treatment of HF is the co-existence of renal failure. Aim: The present study aims to observe the occurrence of acute kidney injury in patients in critical condition hospitalized due to decompensated heart failure. Methodology: The present study was conducted in the department of Medicine at Chattrapati Shivaji Subharti Hospital from September 2018 to June 2020. The study group consisted of 100 patients, aged 18 years and above with decompensated heart disease, without pre-existing renal disease. The data was collected by a preformed structured interviewer-administered questionnaire that was pretested with modifications made prior to its use in the study. The observation interval was from the admission to hospital till discharge or death. Detailed clinical history including associated symptoms was noted. Detailed systemic examination of patients was done. Statistical analysis: It was performed using IBM SPSS version 20. All categorical data were expressed as a percentage of the whole. Results: The current study showed the mean hospital stay of 16.91±11.50 days among Non-AKI subjects whereas 35.78 ± 45.80 days among AKI subjects. The mean ICU stay of 5.38 ± 2.14 days was seen among Non-AKI subjects where as 9.41 ± 15.82 days amongAKIsubjects.Mortality among Non-AKI subjects was 5% where as among AKI subjects were 11.67%. Other factors like serum creatinine and mean urea were higher too among AKI subjects was 1.27 ± 0.49 mg/dL and mean urea. Conclusion: The presence of AKI during hospitalization was associated with poor outcomes in patients with decompensated heart failure as it can be appreciated from the results.Acute kidney injury, a common problem in ICU, has a strong impact on mortality and morbidity.