Predictors of mortality in a cohort of acute kidney injury patients

Resumo

BACKGROUND AND OBJETIVE: Acute kidney injury is related to high in-hospital mortality. The use of furosemide has been a controversial point in the prevention and treatment of acute kidney injury. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of mortality in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury with emphasis on use of furosemide. METHODS: A prospective cohort of 108 patients with acute kidney injury admitted consecutively in a intensive care unit and evaluated until death or hospital discharge. The dependent variable was death from any cause. The independent variables were age, sex, race, serum creatinine, potassium, admission diagnosis, urine output, volume infused, the twelve variables of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health disease Classification System II and furosemide use. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of death. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 65.74 years with a predominance of women of African descent. The overall mortality rate was 44.4%. In logistic regression analysis, predictors of mortality were: using furosemide, age in years and Glasgow come scale. CONCLUSION: Use of furosemide was a predictor of mortality in a cohort of patients with acute kidney injury. The role of furosemide in the treatment and prevention of acute kidney injury certainly needs to be better evaluated.