Intensity of Renal Support in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Kidney Injury
Patients with severe acute kidney injury who require renal replacement therapy have high mortality rates. Controversy exists over whether a mortality benefit occurs with use of a more intensive renal replacement therapy regimen. In this multicenter, prospective study, 1124 patients requiring renal replacement therapy for severe acute kidney injury were randomized to a more and a less intensive renal replacement therapy regimen and were followed for 60 days. There was no statistical difference in mortality at 60 days (53.6% intensive, 51.5% less intensive, P = 0.47) and no difference in kidney recovery or non-renal organ failure. Hypotension and electrolyte abnormalities were more common in the intensive renal replacement regimen. A less intensive renal replacement regimen (intermittent hemodialysis 3 times a week or continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration at 20ml/kg/hour) was found noninferior to a more intensive renal replacement strategy (dialysis 6 times per week or continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration at 35 ml/kg/hour).