title: Incidence and outcome of acute renal failure complicating autologous stem cell transplantation for AL amyloidosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High-dose intravenous melphalan and autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (HDM/SCT) is an effective treatment for AL amyloidosis but is associated with significant toxicity, including the development of acute renal failure (ARF). The incidence and outcome of ARF as a complication of such treatment is not known.
  
  
  METHODS
  All AL amyloidosis patients treated with HDM/SCT at a single institution between July 1, 1994 and May 31, 2000 were included in the analysis unless they were dialysis-dependent prior to treatment. Baseline data were collected prospectively. Treatment-related data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database and medical record review. ARF was defined as either a >/=1 mg/dL increase in serum creatinine or a doubling of serum creatinine to >/=1.5 mg/dL for at least 2 days. Recovery of renal function was defined as a return of serum creatinine to less than or within 0.5 mg/dL of the pretreatment value or the ability to discontinue dialysis initiated as a result of ARF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ARF occurred in 37 of 173 patients (21%). Initiation of dialysis was required in nine patients (5%). Forty-six percent of patients with ARF, including four of nine who required dialysis, had recovery of renal function. Baseline clinical variables that were independent predictors of transplant-associated ARF included creatinine clearance, proteinuria, and cardiac amyloidosis. Treatment-related variables associated with ARF included melphalan dose and bacteremia. ARF was associated with reduced survival at 90 days but did not have an impact on overall survival at a median follow-up of 2.9 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ARF is a frequent but often reversible complication of HDM/SCT for AL amyloidosis. Specific clinical and treatment-related factors are associated with the development of this complication.
authors.affiliation: The Renal Section, Stem Cell Transplant Program of the Hematology/Oncology Section, and Amyloid Treatment and Research Program, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fadia
authors.forename: Liam F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Casserly
authors.forename: Vaishali
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sanchorawala
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Seldin
authors.forename: Daniel G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Dember
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome