Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication of liver transplantation and is associated with increased mortality. We identified the incidence and modifiable risk factors for AKI after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and constructed risk scoring models for AKI prediction. We retrospectively reviewed 538 cases of LDLT. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate risk factors for the prediction of AKI as defined by the RIFLE criteria (RIFLE = risk, injury, failure, loss, end stage). Three risk scoring models were developed in the retrospective cohort by including all variables that were significant in univariate analysis, or variables that were significant in multivariate analysis by backward or forward stepwise variable selection. The risk models were validated by way of cross-validation. The incidence of AKI was 27.3% (147/538) and 6.3% (34/538) required postoperative renal replacement therapy. Independent risk factors for AKI by multivariate analysis of forward stepwise variable selection included: body-mass index >27.5 kg/m2 [odds ratio (OR) 2.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32–4.55], serum albumin <3.5 mg/dl (OR 1.76, 95%CI 1.05–2.94), MELD (model for end-stage liver disease) score >20 (OR 2.01, 95%CI 1.17–3.44), operation time >600 min (OR 1.81, 95%CI 1.07–3.06), warm ischemic time >40 min (OR 2.61, 95%CI 1.55–4.38), postreperfusion syndrome (OR 2.96, 95%CI 1.55–4.38), mean blood glucose during the day of surgery >150 mg/dl (OR 1.66, 95%CI 1.01–2.70), cryoprecipitate > 6 units (OR 4.96, 95%CI 2.84–8.64), blood loss/body weight >60 ml/kg (OR 4.05, 95%CI 2.28–7.21), and calcineurin inhibitor use without combined mycophenolate mofetil (OR 1.87, 95%CI 1.14–3.06). Our risk models performed better than did a previously reported score by Utsumi et al. in our study cohort. Doses of calcineurin inhibitor should be reduced by combined use of mycophenolate mofetil to decrease postoperative AKI. Prospective randomized trials are required to address whether artificial modification of hypoalbuminemia, hyperglycemia and postreperfusion syndrome would decrease postoperative AKI in LDLT.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) after pediatric cardiac surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Modifiable risk factors for postoperative AKI including perioperative anesthesia-related parameters were assessed. The authors conducted a single-center, retrospective cohort study of 220 patients (aged 10 days to 19 years) who underwent congenital cardiac surgery between January and December 2012. The incidence of AKI within 7 days postoperatively was determined using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Ninety-two patients (41.8%) developed AKI and 18 (8.2%) required renal replacement therapy within the first postoperative week. Among patients who developed AKI, 57 patients (25.9%) were KDIGO stage 1, 27 patients (12.3%) were KDIGO stage 2, and eight patients (3.6%) were KDIGO stage 3. RACHS-1 (Risk-Adjusted classification for Congenital Heart Surgery) category, perioperative transfusion and fluid administration as well as fluid overload were compared between patients with and without AKI. Multivariable logistic regression analyses determined the risk factors for AKI. AKI was associated with longer hospital stay or ICU stay, and frequent sternal wound infections. Younger age (<12 months) [odds ratio (OR), 4.01; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.77–9.06], longer cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.24–4.84), and low preoperative hemoglobin (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.07–5.40) were independent risk factors for AKI. Fluid overload was not a significant predictor for AKI. When a variable of hemoglobin concentration increase (>3 g/dl) from preoperative level on POD1 was entered into the multivariable analysis, it was independently associated with postoperative AKI (OR, 6.51; 95% CI, 2.23–19.03 compared with no increase). This association was significant after adjustment with patient demographics, medication history and RACHS-1 category (hemoglobin increase >3g/dl vs. no increase: adjusted OR, 6.94; 95% CI, 2.33–20.69), regardless of different age groups and cyanotic or non-cyanotic heart disease. Prospective trials are required to evaluate whether correction of preoperative anemia and prevention of hemoconcentration may ameliorate postoperative AKI in patients who underwent congenital cardiac surgery.

Many factors are associated with the development of low back pain. Among them, exercise, obesity, smoking, age, educational level and stress are the most common. This study examined the association of these factors with low back pain. An additional aim was to determine a procedure for preventing low back pain. This study analyzed the responses to a questionnaire sent to 772 individuals who had undergone a medical examination at this hospital in 2003 and excluded the individuals who had shown symptoms or their test results indicated a particular disease. Assuming that there were no variables, individuals who exercised regularly 3-4 times per week would have a lower chance of having low back pain than those who did not exercise regularly. The analysis revealed that individuals with a college degree or higher education have a lower chance of experiencing low back pain than those with only a high school education or even college drop-outs. When the other variables were constant, age, extent of obesity (body mass index), smoking and level of stress were not found to affect the development of low back pain. The level of education was associated with the development of low back pain. However, regular exercise 3-4 times per week or more would be most effective in reducing the incidence and duration of low back pain.

Perioperative risk factors were identified for acute kidney injury (AKI) defined by the RIFLE criteria (RIFLE = risk, injury, failure, loss, end stage) after surgery on the thoracic aorta with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in this case-control study.A retrospective review was completed for 702 patients who underwent surgery on the thoracic aorta with CPB. A total of 183 patients with AKI were matched 1:1 with patients without AKI by a propensity score. Matched variables included age, gender, body-mass index, preoperative creatinine levels, estimated glomerular filtration rate, a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular accident, smoking history, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to exclude the influence of patient demographics, preoperative medical status, and baseline renal function. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate for independent risk factors in the matched sample of 366 patients.The incidence of AKI was 28.6% and 5.9% of patients from the entire sample required renal replacement therapy. AKI was associated with a prolonged postoperative hospital stay and a higher one-month and one-year mortality both in the entire and matched sample set. Independent risk factors for AKI were a left ventricular ejection fraction <55%, preoperative hemoglobin level <10 g/dL, albumin <4.0 g/dL, diagnosis of dissection, operation time >7 hours, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) time >30 min, pRBC transfusion >1000 mL, and FFP transfusion >500 mL. Although the incidence of poor glucose control (blood glucose >180 mg/dL) was higher in patients with AKI in matched sample, it was not an independent risk factor.AKI was still associated with a poor clinical outcome in the matched sample. Potentially modifiable risk factors included preoperative anemia and hypoalbuminemia. Efforts to minimize operation time and DHCA time along with transfusion amount may protect patients undergoing aortic surgery against AKI.

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The aspiration test with or without spot radiography frequently missed the intravascular uptake of contrast during lumbar MBBs. We strongly advocate the use of real-time fluoroscopy during contrast injection to increase diagnostic and therapeutic value and to avoid possible complications.

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High incidence of acute pulmonary hypertension was observed in each sclerotherapy session without lasting effect on PAP.