The relationship between platelet count and postoperative acute kidney injury and long-term prognosis in neurosurgical critically ill patients: A retrospective study

In neurosurgical patients admitted to the ICU, early platelet levels within the first 24 hours were associated with the incidence of AKI within 7 days and long-term outcomes. A lower platelet count during the early ICU period was associated with an increased risk of AKI and poorer prognosis. This association appeared to be non-linear, the range of 179-234 × 10⁹/L corresponded to a lower risk or better prognosis. Platelet count can be a potential tool for risk stratification, but it is not sufficient to support clinical intervention decisions based on causal relationships.