Background: Although acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the incidence and impact of AKI on mortality among patients on ECMO remain unclear. We conducted this systematic review to summarize the incidence and impact of AKI on mortality risk among adult patients on ECMO. Methods: A literature search was performed using EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Databases from inception until March 2019 to identify studies assessing the incidence of AKI (using a standard AKI definition), severe AKI requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), and the impact of AKI among adult patients on ECMO. Effect estimates from the individual studies were obtained and combined utilizing random-effects, generic inverse variance method of DerSimonian-Laird. The protocol for this systematic review is registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42018103527). Results: 41 cohort studies with a total of 10,282 adult patients receiving ECMO were enrolled. Overall, the pooled estimated incidence of AKI and severe AKI requiring RRT were 62.8% (95%CI: 52.1%–72.4%) and 44.9% (95%CI: 40.8%–49.0%), respectively. Meta-regression showed that the year of study did not significantly affect the incidence of AKI (p = 0.67) or AKI requiring RRT (p = 0.83). The pooled odds ratio (OR) of hospital mortality among patients receiving ECMO with AKI on RRT was 3.73 (95% CI, 2.87–4.85). When the analysis was limited to studies with confounder-adjusted analysis, increased hospital mortality remained significant among patients receiving ECMO with AKI requiring RRT with pooled OR of 3.32 (95% CI, 2.21–4.99). There was no publication bias as evaluated by the funnel plot and Egger’s regression asymmetry test with p = 0.62 and p = 0.17 for the incidence of AKI and severe AKI requiring RRT, respectively. Conclusion: Among patients receiving ECMO, the incidence rates of AKI and severe AKI requiring RRT are high, which has not changed over time. Patients who develop AKI requiring RRT while on ECMO carry 3.7-fold higher hospital mortality.

Background: The study’s aim was to summarize the incidence and impacts of post-liver transplant (LTx) acute kidney injury (AKI) on outcomes after LTx. Methods: A literature search was performed using the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Databases from inception until December 2018 to identify studies assessing the incidence of AKI (using a standard AKI definition) in adult patients undergoing LTx. Effect estimates from the individual studies were derived and consolidated utilizing random-effect, the generic inverse variance approach of DerSimonian and Laird. The protocol for this systematic review is registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42018100664). Results: Thirty-eight cohort studies, with a total of 13,422 LTx patients, were enrolled. Overall, the pooled estimated incidence rates of post-LTx AKI and severe AKI requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) were 40.7% (95% CI: 35.4%–46.2%) and 7.7% (95% CI: 5.1%–11.4%), respectively. Meta-regression showed that the year of study did not significantly affect the incidence of post-LTx AKI (p = 0.81). The pooled estimated in-hospital or 30-day mortality, and 1-year mortality rates of patients with post-LTx AKI were 16.5% (95% CI: 10.8%–24.3%) and 31.1% (95% CI: 22.4%–41.5%), respectively. Post-LTx AKI and severe AKI requiring RRT were associated with significantly higher mortality with pooled ORs of 2.96 (95% CI: 2.32–3.77) and 8.15 (95%CI: 4.52–14.69), respectively. Compared to those without post-LTx AKI, recipients with post-LTx AKI had significantly increased risk of liver graft failure and chronic kidney disease with pooled ORs of 3.76 (95% CI: 1.56–9.03) and 2.35 (95% CI: 1.53–3.61), respectively. Conclusion: The overall estimated incidence rates of post-LTx AKI and severe AKI requiring RRT are 40.8% and 7.0%, respectively. There are significant associations of post-LTx AKI with increased mortality and graft failure after transplantation. Furthermore, the incidence of post-LTx AKI has remained stable over the ten years of the study.

Background: Lung transplantation has been increasingly performed worldwide and is considered an effective therapy for patients with various causes of end-stage lung diseases. We performed a systematic review to assess the incidence and impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) and severe AKI requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) in patients after lung transplantation. Methods: A literature search was conducted utilizing Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database from inception through June 2019. We included studies that evaluated the incidence of AKI, severe AKI requiring RRT, and mortality risk of AKI among patients after lung transplantation. Pooled incidence and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were obtained using random-effects meta-analysis. The protocol for this meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; no. CRD42019134095). Results: A total of 26 cohort studies with a total of 40,592 patients after lung transplantation were enrolled. Overall, the pooled estimated incidence rates of AKI (by standard AKI definitions) and severe AKI requiring RRT following lung transplantation were 52.5% (95% CI: 45.8–59.1%) and 9.3% (95% CI: 7.6–11.4%). Meta-regression analysis demonstrated that the year of study did not significantly affect the incidence of AKI (p = 0.22) and severe AKI requiring RRT (p = 0.68). The pooled ORs of in-hospital mortality in patients after lung transplantation with AKI and severe AKI requiring RRT were 2.75 (95% CI, 1.18–6.41) and 10.89 (95% CI, 5.03–23.58). At five years, the pooled ORs of mortality among patients after lung transplantation with AKI and severe AKI requiring RRT were 1.47 (95% CI, 1.11–1.94) and 4.79 (95% CI, 3.58–6.40), respectively. Conclusion: The overall estimated incidence rates of AKI and severe AKI requiring RRT in patients after lung transplantation are 52.5% and 9.3%, respectively. Despite advances in therapy, the incidence of AKI in patients after lung transplantation does not seem to have decreased. In addition, AKI after lung transplantation is significantly associated with reduced short-term and long-term survival.

Background and objectives: Fluid overload and central sleep apnea are highly prevalent in patients with heart failure (HF). We performed this meta-analysis to assess the effects of acetazolamide therapy on acid/base balance and apnea indexes. Methods: A literature search was conducted using EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Database from inception through 18 November 2017 to identify studies evaluating the use of acetazolamide in HF. Study results were analyzed using a random effects model. The protocol for this systematic review is registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; no. CRD42017065401). Results: Nine studies (three randomized controlled trials and six cohort studies) with a total of 229 HF patients were enrolled. After acetazolamide treatment, there were significant decreases in serum pH (mean difference (MD) of −0.04 (95% CI, −0.06 to −0.02)), pCO₂ (MD of −2.06 mmHg (95% CI, −3.60 to −0.53 mmHg)), and serum bicarbonate levels (MD of −6.42 mmol/L (95% CI, −10.05 to −2.79 mmol/L)). When compared to a placebo, acetazolamide significantly increased natriuresis (standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.08 to 1.27)), and decreased the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (SMD of −1.06 (95% CI, −1.75 to −0.36)) and central apnea index (CAI) (SMD of −1.10 (95% CI, −1.80 to −0.40)). Egger’s regression asymmetry tests revealed no publication bias with p = 0.20, 0.75 and 0.59 for analysis of the changes in pH, pCO₂, and serum bicarbonate levels with use of acetazolamide in HF patients. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates significant reduction in serum pH, increase in natriuresis, and improvements in apnea indexes with use of acetazolamide among HF patients.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication following solid-organ transplantation. However, the epidemiology of AKI and mortality risk of AKI among patients undergoing cardiac transplantation is not uniformly described. We conducted this study to assess the incidence of AKI and mortality risk of AKI in adult patients after cardiac transplantation. Methods: A systematic review of EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Databases was performed until June 2019 to identify studies evaluating the incidence of AKI (by standard AKI definitions), AKI requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT), and mortality risk of AKI in patients undergoing cardiac transplantation. Pooled AKI incidence and mortality risk from the included studies were consolidated by random-effects model. The protocol for this study is registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42019134577). Results: 27 cohort studies with 137,201 patients undergoing cardiac transplantation were identified. Pooled estimated incidence of AKI and AKI requiring RRT was 47.1% (95% CI: 37.6–56.7%) and 11.8% (95% CI: 7.2–18.8%), respectively. The pooled ORs of hospital mortality and/or 90-day mortality among patients undergoing cardiac transplantation with AKI and AKI requiring RRT were 3.46 (95% CI, 2.40–4.97) and 13.05 (95% CI, 6.89–24.70), respectively. The pooled ORs of 1-year mortality among patients with AKI and AKI requiring RRT were 2.26 (95% CI, 1.56–3.26) and 3.89 (95% CI, 2.49–6.08), respectively. Conclusion: Among patients undergoing cardiac transplantation, the incidence of AKI and severe AKI requiring RRT are 47.1% and 11.8%, respectively. AKI post cardiac transplantation is associated with reduced short term and 1-year patient survival.

Background: The incidence and mortality of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after kidney transplantation (KTx) remain unclear. This study’s aims were (1) to investigate the pooled incidence/incidence trends, and (2) to assess the mortality/mortality trends in KTx patients with RCC. Methods: A literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases from inception through October 2018. Studies that reported the incidence or mortality of RCC among kidney transplant recipients were included. The pooled incidence and 95% CI were calculated using a random-effect model. The protocol for this meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO; no. CRD42018108994. Results: A total of 22 observational studies with a total of 320,190 KTx patients were enrolled. Overall, the pooled estimated incidence of RCC after KTx was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.5–0.8%, I² = 93%). While the pooled estimated incidence of de novo RCC in the native kidney was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.6–0.9%, I² = 88%), the pooled estimated incidence of RCC in the allograft kidney was 0.2% (95% CI: 0.1–0.4%, I² = 64%). The pooled estimated mortality rate in KTx recipients with RCC was 15.0% (95% CI: 7.4–28.1%, I² = 80%) at a mean follow-up time of 42 months after RCC diagnosis. While meta-regression analysis showed a significant negative correlation between year of study and incidence of de novo RCC post-KTx (slopes = −0.05, p = 0.01), there were no significant correlations between the year of study and mortality of patients with RCC (p = 0.50). Egger’s regression asymmetry test was performed and showed no publication bias in all analyses. Conclusions: The overall estimated incidence of RCC after KTX was 0.7%. Although there has been a potential decrease in the incidence of RCC post-KTx, mortality in KTx patients with RCC has not decreased over time.