Incidence and Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury Following Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background : Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a frequent and serious postoperative complication in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, often leading to increased morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and a higher need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Identifying key risk factors and understanding the prognosis of AKI can guide early interventions and improve patient outcomes. Methods : This retrospective observational study analysed data from 210 patients who underwent various cardiac surgeries between June 2023 and March 2024. Patient records were reviewed using the RIFLE (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-stage kidney disease) classification to identify postoperative AKI. Clinical parameters, surgical details, and postoperative laboratory values were collected to assess AKI incidence, severity, risk factors, and the need for RRT. Results : The overall incidence of AKI was notably high among the study population, particularly in patients on beta-blocker therapy (16.6%) and those who underwent valvular surgeries (64.7%). Patients developing AKI had significantly longer hospital stays and a higher likelihood of requiring RRT. Key postoperative lab findings included reduced hemoglobin, platelet count, and albumin levels, along with elevated serum bilirubin, urea, and potassium. These changes suggest a strong systemic impact of AKI on patient recovery. Conclusion : The findings highlight a substantial burden of AKI among cardiac surgery patients, with specific clinical and procedural risk factors contributing to its development. This emphasizes the need for targeted perioperative monitoring and individualized renal protection strategies. Larger multicenter studies are warranted to further validate these findings and support the development of risk-based intervention protocols for managing AKI in cardiac surgical settings.