Effects of hydration with salt repletion on renal toxicity of conventional amphotericin B empirical therapy: a prospective study in patients with hematological malignancies

Objective: Several studies have suggested that hydration and sodium load might reduce nephrotoxicity related to amphotericin B-deoxycholate (AmB-d). However, a schedule of these nephroprotective measures has not been standardized until now. A protocol of hydration and electrolyte supplementation was used prospectively in patients with hematological malignancies receiving empirical AmB-d treatment to evaluate its effect on AmB-d-related renal toxicity. Patients and methods: A total of 77 consecutive patients received AmB-d (1 mg/kg per day) in association with an initial intravenous hydration of at least 1 l/m(2) body surface, containing at least 1 l of 0.9% saline daily. Hydration was increased when serum creatinine levels showed a 20% increase from baseline. Serum electrolytes were replaced when indicated. Results: The median duration of AmB-d therapy was 14 days. The mean intravenous hydration and the mean diuresis were 1530 and 1970 ml/m(2) of body surface per day, respectively. Overall, 55 patients (71.4%) received a mean of 18.5 days of therapy without dose-limiting adverse events. Despite significant increases in mean creatinine serum levels and decreases in mean creatinine clearance observed early in the whole population, in only six patients (7.8%) was therapy discontinued due to renal failure, which always recovered after treatment discontinuation. In eight patients (10.4%) therapy was stopped due to infusion-related side effects. Seven patients died while under antifungal therapy without relevant signs of AmB-d-associated toxicity. Conclusions: Our prospective experience confirms that adequate hydration (about 1500 ml/m(2) of body surface) and careful electrolyte supplementation are simple measures able to contain nephrotoxicity and to permit adequate antifungal therapy at least in the empirical setting.