Risk factors for acute kidney injury and impact of earlier anticoagulation on renal function in patients with normotensive pulmonary embolism: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) after normotensive pulmonary embolism (PE) and the impact of anticoagulation on renal recovery.

DESIGN

Multicentred, retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Data from four tertiary hospitals in China were captured. All available measurements of serum creatinine (SCr) during hospitalisation and follow-up were collected.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with acute PE and those without haemodynamic instability were enrolled. All recruited patients were followed up for up to 2 years.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the occurrence of AKI, defined by the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. The secondary outcome was the recovery of renal function. The time interval between PE onset and the initiation of anticoagulation was analysed to obtain its influence on the recovery of renal function.

RESULTS

A total of 461 patients with acute normotensive PE were enrolled. A transient elevation of SCr during hospitalisation was observed. The incidence of AKI among normotensive patients was 18.9%. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) NT-proBNP elevation (adjusted HR (aHR) 2.27, 95% CI 1.33 to 3.86) and history of chronic kidney disease (aHR 4.81, 95% CI 2.44 to 9.48) were associated with the development of AKI during hospitalisation. Earlier initiation of anticoagulation therapy (within 5 days after PE onset, compared with over 6 days) promoted an early recovery of renal function (adjusted OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.84, p=0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

Renal impairment and AKI were highly prevalent among patients with normotensive patients. The occurrence of AKI was associated with right heart function. Patients who developed AKI after PE would benefit from earlier anticoagulation therapy for an early recovery of renal function.