Intensity Of Renal Replacement Therapy Research Articles

Impact of Intensity of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy on Duration of Ventilation in Critically Ill Patients: A Secondary Analysis of the RENAL Trial

Introduction: More intensive renal replacement therapy (RRT) has been associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV). However, such finding may be dependent on RRT modality. We hypothesized that, when using continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), RRT intensity would not be associated with prolonged MV. Methods: In a secondary analysis of the Randomized Evaluation of Normal versus Augmented Level (RENAL) Replacement trial comparing different CRRT intensities, we applied Fine-Gray competing risk analysis with time to successful extubation within 28 days as primary outcome. Results: We studied 531 patients in the higher intensity and 551 in the lower intensity group. Higher intensity patients had more hypophosphatemia (66.7 vs. 58.1%; p = 0.004) and more days with hypophosphatemia (2.2 ± 2.8 vs. 1.6 ± 2.2; p < 0.001). There was no difference in the number of patients extubated within 28 days (60.1% vs. 62.4%; adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 0.95 [95% CI, 0.86 to 1.06]) or time to extubation (8 [5–16] vs. 8 [5–15] days; adjusted median difference, 0.65 [95% CI, −0.41 to 1.70]). Among patients from the upper tertile of days with hypophosphatemia, higher intensity CRRT was associated with a lower chance of successful extubation within 28 days (SHR, 0.67 [95% CI, 0.55 to 0.82]; p for heterogeneity = 0.013). Conclusions: In the RENAL trial, higher intensity CRRT was not associated with delayed extubation. However, it was associated with a greater rate of hypophosphatemia and more days with hypophosphatemia was associated with a lower chance of successful extubation.

Intensity of Renal Replacement Therapy and Duration of Mechanical Ventilation: Secondary Analysis of the Acute Renal Failure Trial Network Study

Randomized clinical trials have failed to show benefit from increasing intensity of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for acute kidney injury, but continue to be frequently used. In addition, intensive RRT is associated with an increase in adverse events potentially secondary to small solute losses, such as phosphate. We hypothesized that, compared with less-intensive RRT, intensive RRT would lead to longer duration of mechanical ventilation. Does more-intensive renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury increase time to extubation from mechanical ventilation when compared with less-intensive therapy? The Acute Renal Failure Trial Network study was a randomized multicenter trial of more-intensive (hemodialysis or sustained low-efficiency dialysis six times per week or continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration at 35mL/kg per hour) vsless-intensive (hemodialysis or sustained low-efficiency dialysis three times per week or continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration at 20mL/kg per hour) RRT in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. Of 1124 patients, 907 who were supported by mechanical ventilation on study initiation were included in this Cox-proportional hazards analysis. The primary outcome was the time to first successful extubation off mechanical ventilation. Patients who were assigned randomly to more-intensive RRT had a 33.3%lower hazard rate of successful extubation (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95%CI, 0.52-0.88; P< .001) when compared with patients who were assigned to less-intensive RRT. Patients who were assigned to more-intensive RRT had, on average, 2.07 ventilator-free days, compared with 3.08days inthose who were assigned to less-intensive RRT (P< .001) over 14days from start of thestudy. Critically ill mechanically ventilated patients who were assigned randomly to more-intensive RRT had longer duration of mechanical ventilation compared with those who were assigned to less-intensive RRT. The reasons for this, such as excessive phosphate loss from more-intensive RRT, deserve further study to optimize the safety and effectiveness of CRRT delivery. This was a post hoc analysis of the Acute Renal Failure Trial Network study; clinical trial registration of the original trial is NCT00076219.

Intensity of renal replacement therapy and outcomes in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury: Critical appraisal of the dosing recommendations.

The current care of critically ill patients with severe acute kidney injury requiring dialysis (AKI-D) is limited to supportive management in which renal replacement therapy (RRT) plays a central role. Renal replacement techniques are invasive bioincompatible procedures and are therefore associated with complications that may prove harmful to fragile patients. Inexperience with the standards and lacking or misinterpreted recommendations for the delivery of the RRT dose increases the risk of serious complications. Neither the optimal doses of intermittent or continuous RRTs nor the minimal or maximal effective doses are known. The Kidney Disease Improving Global outcomes (KDIGO) AKI guidelines for RRT dosing recommendations are inflexible, based on limited research, and may be at least partially outdated. High-intensity therapy may be associated with clinically relevant alterations in systemic and renal hemodynamics, profound electrolyte imbalances, the loss of nutrients or thermal energy, and underdosing of antimicrobial agents. However, higher doses of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) may confer a survival benefit for certain subgroups of intensive care patients with severe AKI. Lower CRRT doses than the recommended adequate dosage may not lead to negative health outcomes, at least in Asian patients. Future research should evaluate the demand-capacity concept, recognizing that the delivery of the RRT dose is dynamic and should be modified in response to patient-related factors. There is a need for large-scale studies evaluating whether precision RRT dose modifications may improve patient-centered outcomes in subgroups of critically ill patients.

Renal Replacement Therapy in the ICU.

The incidence of acute kidney injury in critically ill patients is increasing steeply. Acute kidney injury in this setting is associated with high morbidity and mortality. There is no doubt that renal replacement therapy for the most severe forms of acute kidney injury can be life saving, but there are a number of uncertainties about the optimal application of renal replacement therapy for patients with acute kidney injury. The objective of this synthetic review is to present current evidence supporting best practices in renal replacement therapy for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. We reviewed literature regarding timing of initiation of renal replacement therapy, optimal vascular access for renal replacement therapy in acute kidney injury, modality selection and dose or intensity of renal replacement therapy, and anticoagulation during renal replacement therapy, using the following databases: MEDLINE and PubMed. We also reviewed bibliographic citations of retrieved articles. We reviewed only English language articles. Current evidence sheds light on many areas of controversy regarding renal replacement therapy in acute kidney injury, providing a foundation for best practices. Nonetheless, important questions remain to be answered by ongoing and future investigation.

Single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics and total removal of colistin in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury undergoing prolonged intermittent renal replacement therapy.

Owing to the emerging problem of MDR bacteria, interest in 'old' antibiotics such as colistin has re-emerged. However, research on the dosing of colistin in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT), such as prolonged intermittent renal replacement therapy (PIRRT), is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of colistin and its prodrug colistin methanesulfonate in ICU patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) undergoing PIRRT. We performed a prospective clinical pharmacokinetic single- and multiple-dose study. Eight ICU patients with AKI undergoing treatment with PIRRT and receiving intravenous colistin were studied on day 1 and days 5-9 of treatment, depending on the timing of dialysis. Six million IU (MIU) of colistin methanesulfonate was administered 8 h prior to the PIRRT session followed by 3 MIU every 8 h. The study was registered under clinicaltrails.gov (NCT02556190). PIRRT removed a considerable amount of colistin and colistin methanesulfonate with a median dialyser plasma CL of 70.1 mL/min (IQR 36.6-96.2) for colistin and 69.3 mL/min (IQR 56.3-318.7) for colistin methanesulfonate. The median amount of colistin in the total collected dialysate was 154 mg (IQR 105-175), corresponding to about 50% of the daily dose. Median colistin peak concentrations accumulated from 5.79 mg/L (IQR 4.14-8.79) on day 1 to 9.49 mg/L (IQR 8.39-10.41) on days 5-9. Cmax was significantly and inversely correlated with body weight. PIRRT eliminates about half of the daily administered colistin dose. Even a 6 MIU loading dose of colistin methanesulfonate may not ensure immediate sufficient colistin plasma levels in all critically ill patients. However, we measured significant colistin accumulation, suggesting that the dose of colistin methanesulfonate should be adjusted according to body weight and RRT intensity.

Sex and mortality in septic severe acute kidney injury

PurposeTo investigate the relationship between sex and mortality and whether menopause or the intensity of renal replacement therapy (RRT) modify this relationship in patients with severe septic acute kidney injury (AKI). Materials and methodsPost-hoc analysis of patients with sepsis included in the Randomized Evaluation of Normal versus Augmented Level renal replacement therapy (RENAL) trial. ResultsOf 724 patients, 458 (63.3%) were male and 266 (36.7%) were female. The mean delivered effluent flow rate was 25.6 ± 7.4 ml/kg/h (80 ± 15% of prescribed dose) in males and 27.4 ± 7.6 ml/kg/h (83 ± 15% of prescribed dose) in females (p = .01). A total of 237 (51.7%) males and 118 (44.5%) females died within 90 days of randomization (p = .06). The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for 90-day mortality was significantly decreased in females as compared with males (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.96, p = .02). The relationship between sex and mortality was not significantly altered by menopausal status (adjusted P value for interaction 0.99) or by RRT intensity allocation (adjusted P value for interaction 0.27). ConclusionsIn a cohort of patients with sepsis and severe AKI, female sex was associated with improved survival. The relationship between sex and survival was not altered by menopausal status or RRT intensity.

Effects of Renal Replacement Therapy on Renal Recovery after Acute Kidney Injury

Recovery of kidney function following an episode of acute kidney injury (AKI) is now acknowledged as a vital patient-centered outcome with clear health economic implications. In approximately 5-8% of critically ill patients with more severe forms of AKI, support with renal replacement therapy (RRT) is provided. Recent data have suggested that rates of RRT utilization in AKI are increasing. Despite advances in our understanding of how best to prescribe acute RRT in critically ill patients with AKI, additional aspects remain uncertain, predisposing to suboptimal delivery and variation in practice. Importantly, if, when, how, and by what principles we apply acute RRT for AKI are all treatment decision-related factors that are modifiable and may interact with recovery of kidney function. Limited data, mostly from observational studies and secondary analyses, have explored the specific association between acute RRT and recovery. Available data are not able to clarify whether providing any RRT in otherwise eligible patients with AKI impacts recovery. They are also unable to inform whether the timing or circumstance under which RRT is started impacts recovery. No studies have evaluated whether there is an optimal time to start RRT to maximize the probability of recovery. Accumulated evidence, mostly derived from observational studies, suggests initial therapy in critically ill patients with AKI with continuous RRT, compared with intermittent modalities, improves the probability of recovery to dialysis independence. Evidence from high-quality randomized trials failed to show any association between delivered dose intensity of RRT and recovery. The use of biocompatible membranes for acute RRT may improve recovery in AKI; however, data are inconsistent. Limited data have evaluated the impact of membrane flux properties on recovery. Preliminary data have suggested that circuit anticoagulation with citrate, which results in a reduction in membrane-induced oxidative stress and leukocyte activation, may be associated with improved recovery; however, further corroborative data are needed. Additional evidence, ideally from randomized trials, is clearly needed to inform best practice in the delivery of acute RRT to optimize probability of recovery of kidney function for survivors of AKI.

Long-Term Survival and Dialysis Dependency Following Acute Kidney Injury in Intensive Care: Extended Follow-up of a Randomized Controlled Trial

The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) is increasing globally and it is much more common than end-stage kidney disease. AKI is associated with high mortality and cost of hospitalisation. Studies of treatments to reduce this high mortality have used differing renal replacement therapy (RRT) modalities and have not shown improvement in the short term. The reported long-term outcomes of AKI are variable and the effect of differing RRT modalities upon them is not clear. We used the prolonged follow-up of a large clinical trial to prospectively examine the long-term outcomes and effect of RRT dosing in patients with AKI. We extended the follow-up of participants in the Randomised Evaluation of Normal vs. Augmented Levels of RRT (RENAL) study from 90 days to 4 years after randomization. Primary and secondary outcomes were mortality and requirement for maintenance dialysis, respectively, assessed in 1,464 (97%) patients at a median of 43.9 months (interquartile range [IQR] 30.0-48.6 months) post randomization. A total of 468/743 (63%) and 444/721 (62%) patients died in the lower and higher intensity groups, respectively (risk ratio [RR] 1.04, 95% CI 0.96-1.12, p = 0.49). Amongst survivors to day 90, 21 of 411 (5.1%) and 23 of 399 (5.8%) in the respective groups were treated with maintenance dialysis (RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.63-2.00, p = 0.69). The prevalence of albuminuria among survivors was 40% and 44%, respectively (p = 0.48). Quality of life was not different between the two treatment groups. The generalizability of these findings to other populations with AKI requires further exploration. Patients with AKI requiring RRT in intensive care have high long-term mortality but few require maintenance dialysis. Long-term survivors have a heavy burden of proteinuria. Increased intensity of RRT does not reduce mortality or subsequent treatment with dialysis. www.ClinicalTrials.govNCT00221013.

Reducing Mortality in Acute Kidney Injury Patients: Systematic Review and International Web-Based Survey

To identify all interventions that increase or reduce mortality in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and to establish the agreement between stated beliefs and actual practice in this setting. Systematic literature review and international web-based survey. More than 300 physicians from 62 countries. Several databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed, were searched with no time limits (updated February 14, 2012) to identify all the drugs/techniques/strategies that fulfilled all the following criteria: (a) published in a peer-reviewed journal, (b) dealing with critically ill adult patients with or at risk for acute kidney injury, and (c) reporting a statistically significant reduction or increase in mortality. Of the 18 identified interventions, 15 reduced mortality and 3 increased mortality. Perioperative hemodynamic optimization, albumin in cirrhotic patients, terlipressin for hepatorenal syndrome type 1, human immunoglobulin, peri-angiography hemofiltration, fenoldopam, plasma exchange in multiple-myeloma-associated AKI, increased intensity of renal replacement therapy (RRT), CVVH in severely burned patients, vasopressin in septic shock, furosemide by continuous infusion, citrate in continuous RRT, N-acetylcysteine, continuous and early RRT might reduce mortality in critically ill patients with or at risk for AKI; positive fluid balance, hydroxyethyl starch and loop diuretics might increase mortality in critically ill patients with or at risk for AKI. Web-based opinion differed from consensus opinion for 30% of interventions and self-reported practice for 3 interventions. The authors identified all interventions with at least 1 study suggesting a significant effect on mortality in patients with or at risk of AKI and found that there is discordance between participant stated beliefs and actual practice regarding these topics.

Effect of the intensity of continuous renal replacement therapy in patients with sepsis and acute kidney injury: a single-center randomized clinical trial

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major complication in patients with sepsis and is an independent predictor of mortality. However, the optimal intensity of renal replacement therapy for such patients is still controversial. From 1 January 2004 to 30 September 2009, we randomly assigned 280 patients with sepsis and AKI to continuous renal replacement therapy by high-volume hemofiltration (50 mL/kg/h, HVHF) or extra high-volume hemofiltration (85 mL/kg/h, EHVHF). The primary study outcome was death from any cause within 28, 60 and 90 days. Results were analyzed by univariate and multivariate methods and by Kaplan-Meier survival curves. A total of 141 patients were given EHVHF and 139 were given HVHF. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics and received treatment for an average of 9.38 days (EHVHF group) and 8.88 days (HVHF group). There were no significant differences between the groups in number of deaths at 28, 60 or 90 days. There were also no differences between the groups in renal outcome of survivors at 90 days. Multivariate analysis indicated that inotropic support by norepinephrine, time in hospital of >7 days, blood platelet count <8 × 10(9)/L, Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score >25, total bilirubin >100 μmol/L, prothrombin time >18 s, serum creatinine <250 μmol/L and blood urea nitrogen >20 mmol/L were independent risk factors for death at 90 days after initiation of renal replacement therapy. In patients with sepsis and AKI, increasing the intensity of renal replacement therapy from 50 (HVHF) to 85 mL/kg/h (EHVHF) had no effect on survival at 28 and 90 days.

Intensity of Renal Replacement Therapy: Effects on Mortality and Renal Recovery

This flawed meta-analysis suggests that in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) there is no difference in mortality or renal recovery when comparing high intensity continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) or intermittent haemodialysis (IHD) (effluent flow rate 35–48 mL/kg/hr or equivalent) vs lower intensity CRRT or IHD (effluent flow rate 20–25 mL/kg/hr or equivalent) strategies. Level of evidence: 1− (Meta-analysis with a high risk of bias)

Akutes Nierenversagen

Previously often regarded as only simple organ dysfunction which can easily compensated by modern renal replacement therapies, acute kidney injury (AKI) has lately been recognized as systemic proinflammatory, pro-oxidative syndrome, which independently from the severity of the underlying disease, exerts a fundamental impact on the course of disease, the evolution of complications, and outcome. Patients do not only die with but also from AKI. The causes of this fundamental impact of AKI on the course of disease and prognosis are based on the fact that AKI not only results in the well-known effects on volume and electrolyte balance but affects all biological functions and organ systems. AKI augments any inflammatory reaction, which results in distant organ injury of nonrenal organs, such as the lung, the heart, or the liver. Immunocompetence is massively compromised in AKI patients, and infections represent the most important cause of death in this patient group. These negative effects of AKI are mediated by three interrelated mechanisms: by acute uremic intoxication per se, by activation of cellular elements and release of cytokines by the injured kidney (the kidney as the "offender"), and by side effects caused by the type and intensity of renal replacement therapy. Because of the profound impact of AKI on the course of disease on short- and long-term prognosis, early diagnosis and initiation of preventive measures is of outmost importance to avoid the evolution of AKI. If AKI had become manifest, renal replacement therapy has to be adapted - regarding the optimal treatment modality, the timing, and therapy dose - in such manner as to minimize the negative side effects of AKI on the organism. Unfortunately, even modern renal replacement therapies are not able to simulate the complex renal functions and to fully compensate for the negative impact of AKI.

Intensities of Renal Replacement Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury

Clinical trials of the intensity of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for people with acute kidney injury (AKI) have produced conflicting results. A systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to assess the effect of different intensities of RRT on all-cause mortality and renal recovery in AKI patients. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database were systematically searched for trials published between 1950 and 2009. Inclusion criteria were completed, prospective, adult-population, randomized controlled studies. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Summary estimates of RR were obtained using a random effects model. Heterogeneity, metaregression, publication bias, and subgroup analyses were conducted. Eight trials were identified that provided data on 3841 patients and 1808 deaths. More intense RRT (35 to 48 ml/kg per h or equivalent) had no overall effect on the risk of death (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.04, P = 0.143) or recovery of renal function (RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.31, P = 0.181) compared with less-intensive regimens (20 to 25 ml/kg per h or equivalent). Significant heterogeneity was identified with contributing factors including publication year (P = 0.004) and Jadad score (P = 0.048). Within the intensity ranges studied, higher intensity RRT does not reduce mortality rates or improve renal recovery among patients with AKI. The results do not negate the importance of RRT intensity in the treatment of AKI patients but rather reinforce the need to better understand the effects of treatment modalities, doses, and timing in this varied, high-risk population.

Intensity of renal replacement therapy in acute kidney injury: perspective from within the Acute Renal Failure Trial Network Study

Determination of the optimal dose of renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury has been controversial. Questions have recently been raised regarding the design and execution of the US Department of Veterans Affairs/National Institutes of Health Acute Renal Failure Trial Network (ATN) Study, which demonstrated no improvement in 60-day all-cause mortality with more intensive management of renal replacement therapy. In the present article we present our rationale for these aspects of the design and conduct of the study, including our use of both intermittent and continuous modalities of renal support, our approach to initiation of study therapy and the volume management during study therapy. In addition, the article presents data on hypotension during therapy and recovery of kidney function in the perspective of other studies of renal support in acute kidney injury. Finally, we address the implications of the ATN Study results for clinical practice from the perspective of the study investigators.

Pharmacokinetics of Moxifloxacin and Levofloxacin in Intensive Care Unit Patients Who Have Acute Renal Failure and Undergo Extended Daily Dialysis

Extended daily dialysis (EDD) is increasingly popular in the treatment of acute renal failure (ARF). EDD could remove drugs to a much different degree compared with intermittent standard hemodialysis or continuous renal replacement therapies; however, there are only scarce data on how EDD influences the pharmacokinetics of frequently used drugs. The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of two quinolone antibiotics in patients who had anuric ARF and were being treated with EDD. Adult patients who were in the intensive care unit at a tertiary care university hospital and receiving moxifloxacin (n = 10) or levofloxacin (n = 5) therapy were included. The antibiotics were administered intravenously 8 h (400 mg of moxifloxacin) or 12 h (500 mg of levofloxacin) before EDD to study pharmacokinetics off and on EDD. Treatment lasted 8 h; blood and dialysate flow rates were 160 ml/min. In addition to standard pharmacokinetic parameters, the total dialysate concentration of both drugs was measured using a technically simple single-pass batch dialysis system for EDD. Moxifloxacin pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients who had ARF and were undergoing EDD were similar to those in healthy subjects without renal impairment. Levofloxacin, although removed by EDD, had a lower total clearance compared with healthy subjects. According to these findings, anuric critically ill patients who are undergoing EDD should be treated with the standard dosage of moxifloxacin (400 mg/d intravenously). The levofloxacin dosage, however, should be reduced according to the intensity of renal replacement therapy.

Clinical performance measures: The changing status of peritoneal dialysis

The Peritoneal Dialysis-Clinical Performance Measures Project (PD-CPM) characterizes peritoneal dialysis within the U.S. Current survey results are reported and compared to those of previous years. Prevalence data from random national samples of adult peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients participating in the United States End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) program have been collected annually since 1995. In 1995, 79% of the respondents used continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) rather than automated peritoneal dialysis (APD). The mean hematocrit (Hct) of PD patients was 32% and only 66% of individuals had a measurement of dialysis adequacy reported. The mean weekly Kt/Vurea (wKt/V) and weekly creatinine clearance (wCCr) reported for CAPD patients in 1995 were 1.9 and 67 L/1.73 m2/week, respectively. In 2000 the median age of PD patients was 55 years and 63% were white. The leading cause of ESRD was diabetes mellitus (34%) and 54% of adult PD patients performed some form of APD rather than CAPD. Age, sex, size, hematocrit, peritoneal permeability, dialysis adequacy, residual renal function and nutritional indices did not differ between APD and CAPD patients. The mean hemoglobin (Hb) for the 2000 PD-CPM population was 11.6 +/- 1.4 g/dL (mean +/- 1 SD) and 11% of patients had an average Hb below 10 g/dL. The average serum albumin was 3.5 +/- 0.5 g/dL by the bromcresol green method and 56% of subjects had an average serum albumin equal to or above 3.5 g/dL (or 3.2 g/dL by bromcresol purple). In 2000 85% of patients had a dialysis adequacy measurement reported and the mean calculated wKt/V and wCCr were 2.3 +/- 0.6 and 72.7 +/- 24.9 liters/1.73 m2/week for CAPD patients and 2.3 +/- 0.6 and 71.6 +/- 25.1 L/1.73 m2/week for APD patients. PD subjects had a mean body weight of 76 +/- 19 kg and body mass index (BMI) of 27.5 +/- 6.4 kg/m2. The protein equivalent of nitrogen appearance (nPNA) of these patients was 0.95 +/- 0.31 g/kg/day, their normalized creatinine appearance rate (nCAR) equaled 17 +/- 6.5 mg/kg/day, resulting in a percent lean body mass (%LBM) of 64 +/- 17% of actual body weight. Serum albumin correlated in a positive fashion with BMI, nPNA, nCAR and %LBM, but not with wCCr. The majority of indicator variables monitored by the PD-CPM have improved since 1995. PD patients have higher hemoglobins and a greater proportion of patients meet the criteria for adequate dialysis. Serum albumin values, however, remain marginal and unchanged over the five-year project. Furthermore, serum albumin values fail to correlate with the intensity of renal replacement therapy and are not strongly correlated with alternative estimates of nutritional status.

Nutrition in patients with acute renal failure.

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a common disease affecting approximately 5% of all hospitalized patients and 10–30% of the patients in intensive care units. The mortality rate is still very high (above 50%), despite advances in the management of critically ill patients and in the renal replacement therapies. Pre-existing or hospital-acquired malnutrition is an important factor contributing to high mortality seen in patients with ARF w1–4x. Nutritional support has, therefore, been accepted as an important part of the management of ARF. During the course of ARF, multiple metabolic changes occur. ARF affects both fluid, electrolyte, acid–base balance and the metabolism of proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids and energy. The metabolic alterations in ARF patients are determined not only by acute loss of renal function, but also by the type and intensity of renal replacement therapy. Furthermore, the underlying disease plays an important role in the development of metabolic changes w2,4,5x.

Nutritional management of acute renal failure

The principles of nutritional therapy (ie, maintain lean body mass, stimulate immunocompetence, and repair functions, such as wound healing) are similar for patients with acute renal failure (ARF) and with other catabolic clinical conditions. However, if a patient with ARF requires nutritional support, the multiple metabolic consequences of acute uremia must be taken into account. These do not only affect fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance but also the metabolism of amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. In addition, these metabolic alterations are modified by the acute disease process per se, by associated complications (such as severe infections), and last but not least, by the type and intensity of renal replacement therapy. Whenever possible, enteral nutrition should be provided in patients with ARF because even small amounts of luminal nutrients will help to maintain intestinal functions. Nevertheless, in many patients a parenteral nutrition, at least supplementary and/or temporarily, will become necessary. Metabolic complications of nutritional support frequently occur in patients with ARF because tolerance to volume load and electrolytes is limited and the use of various nutrients is impaired. Despite the notorious difficulty to demonstrate clear-cut benefits of nutritional interventions and especially, of parenteral nutrition on prognosis in critically ill patients, there can be no doubt that nutritional therapy presents a cornerstone in the treatment of patients with ARF. Preexisting and/or hospital-acquired malnutrition have been identified as important factors contributing to the persisting high mortality in acutely ill patients with ARF.

1997 Peritoneal Dialysis-Core Indicators Study: Dialysis Adequacy and Nutritional Indicators Report.

The 1997 Peritoneal Dialysis-Core Indicators Study: Dialysis Adequacy and Nutritional Indicators Report documents the current status of peritoneal dialysis within the United States. A national random sample of adult peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients participating in the United States End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) program was surveyed. PD subjects were large, with a mean body weight of 76 +/- 18.9 kg (mean +/- 1 SD) and a body mass index (BMI) of 27 +/- 6.4. The dialysis prescriptions documented achieved a mean weekly Kt/Vurea (wKt/V) and weekly creatinine clearance (wCrCl) of 2. 45 +/- 2.29 and 65.5 +/- 35.2 L/wk/1.73m2, respectively. The serum albumin of these patients was 3.5 +/- 0.48 g/dL, their normalized protein equivalent of nitrogen appearance (nPNA) 1.0 +/- 0.63 g/kg/d, and their normalized creatinine appearance rate (nCAR) 14 +/- 6.0 mg/kg/d. Serum albumin correlated meagerly but in a positive fashion with BMI, nPNA, and nCAR, and negatively with wCrCl. Among adult US PD patients, serum albumin values appear to correlate poorly with alternative measures of nutritional status and are inversely related to the intensity of renal replacement therapy. The presumptive dietary protein intake (nPNA) and creatinine appearance rate (nCAR) derived for PD patients do correlate in a positive fashion with dialysis delivery, at least up to a wCrCl of 60 to 80 L/wk/1.73 m2 and wKt/V = 2.1, but their values suggest that 30% to 50% of PD patients have marginal nutritional status.