Renal Function and Weaning from Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation

Abstract

PURPOSE: Renal failure requiring hemodialysis has been associated with a poor outcome in patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). Serum creatinine (Cr) > 1.3 mg% has been implicated in failure-to-wean from PMV. Literature on the impact of renal failure on weaning is limited. Creatinine clearance (CrCl)provides a better estimate of renal function than serum creatinine. However, no prior studies have examined the relationship of CrCl on weaning outcome in patients on PMV. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of renal function, particularly CrCl, on weaning from PMV.