Purpose: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an effective treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe complication that commonly occurs in patients undergo TACE. In this study, we aim to investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with AKI in HCC patients received TACE treatment.
Methods: This study enrolled 380 HCC patients who received a total of 453 TACE treatments. The incidence, clinical outcomes and risk factors of AKI were examined.
Results: The incidence of post-TACE AKI was 9.05% (41/453). Of these, 3 patients (7.3%) progressed to chronic kidney failure while 7 patients (17.1%) died within 1 month of TACE. The Child-Pugh score (OR=3.784, 95% CI 1.899-7.542, p=0.000), pre-operative serum uric acid (OR=1.450, 95% CI 1.202-1.750, p=0.000), and proteinuria (OR=2.393, 95% CI 1.139-5.031, p=0.021) were independent risk factors for the development of post-TACE AKI.
Conclusion: AKI is a common complication in HCC patients received TACE. The Child-Pugh score, preoperative serum uric acid and proteinuria may be used to predict the risk of post-TACE AKI in HCC patients undergo TACE.
Keywords: AKI; HCC; TACE; kidney failure; liver cancer.