Saudi Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SJMPS)
Volume-11 | Issue-03 | 204-211
Review Article
Updates on Acute Kidney Injury in Trauma Patients Admitted to the ICU: A Systematic Review
Sultan Mubarak Alanazi, Najd Turki M Alanazi, Fai Nidaa H Alshammari, Jawaher Awad A Alshammari, Abyar Salem R ALenezi
Published : March 24, 2025
Abstract
Objectives: To the current evidence on incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes regarding acute kidney injury (AKI) among trauma patients being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: A total of 432 pertinent publications were found after a comprehensive search across four databases. 38 full-text publications were examined after duplicates were eliminated using Rayyan QCRI and relevance was checked; seven studies finally satisfied the requirements for inclusion. Results: We included seven studies with a total of 31,222 participants and the majority 26,267 (84.1%) were males. AKI is a frequent complication in trauma patients, and its incidence depends on the kind of trauma and patient-related factors. Incidence is higher in abdominal and polytrauma patients, particularly in those who are obese or with subcutaneous adipose tissue. AKI in polytrauma is associated with longer ventilation, longer lengths of stay in the ICU, and higher mortality. Although less frequent compared to AKI in penetrating trauma, AKI is associated with longer hospitalization and higher fatality in young patients. Severe trauma has the highest incidence of AKI largely due to coagulopathy, hemodynamic instability, rhabdomyolysis, sepsis, and nephrotoxic drugs. Conclusion: AKI poses a significant challenge in ICU trauma management, leading to longer hospital stays, higher mortality, and complex clinical cases. Key risk factors such as trauma severity, obesity, and hemodynamic instability necessitate early diagnosis and targeted intervention. Effective AKI management involves optimizing fluid balance and minimizing nephrotoxic exposure. Future research should focus on developing standardized prevention protocols and assessing long-term renal outcomes in trauma patients.