Nephrology
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Erythropoietin (EPO) production is stimulated by hypoxia in the kidney. Ischaemic injury plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, EPO concentrations in critically ill patients complicated with AKI have not been evaluated sufficiently. This study was conducted to clarify the factors associated with plasma EPO concentrations in AKI. ⋯ Not low arterial oxygen tension, haemoglobin concentration, and inflammation evaluated by IL-6 but plasma IGFBP-1 was significantly associated with plasma EPO concentration in AKI, suggesting an unknown mechanism related to systemic stress conditions for EPO regulation in AKI.
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There is limited knowledge on the relationship between kidney function and incidence of atrial fibrillation. Thus, this prospective study was designed to evaluate whether various biomarkers of kidney function are associated to the risk of atrial fibrillation. The study population consisted of 1840 subjects (615 women and 1225 men) aged 61-82 years. ⋯ Similar results were also found when comparing the respective groups of subjects defined by their eGRFcreat levels (hazard ratio 2.41, CI 1.09-5.30, P = 0.029). Consistently, subjects with ACR ≥300 mg/g had an increased risk of incident atrial fibrillation (hazard ratio 2.16, CI 1.35-2.82, P < 0.001) compared to those with ACR <30 mg/g. Reduced eGFR and albuminuria were associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation.