Clinical characteristics of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT).

Methods: From 2011 to 2015, we enrolled 340 patients who were treated with CRRT for sepsis at the Presbyterian Medical Center. In all patients, CRRT was performed using the PRISMA platform. We divided these patients into two groups (survivors and non-survivors) according to the 28-day all-cause mortality. We compared clinical characteristics and analyzed the predictors of mortality.

Results: The 28-day all-cause mortality was 62%. Survivors were younger than non-survivors and had higher platelet counts (178?±?101?×?10³/mL vs. 134?±?84?×?10³/mL, p?p?p?p?0.05?mL/kg/h (66% vs. 86%, p?=?.001) in the first day. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, age, platelet count, RDW score, APACHE II score, serum creatinine level, and a urine output of <0.05?mL/kg/h the first day were prognostic factors for the 28-day all-cause mortality.

Conclusion: Age, platelet count, APACHE II score, RDW score, serum creatinine level, and urine output the first day are useful predictors for the 28-day all-cause mortality in sepsis patients requiring CRRT.     

Norepinephrine and hospital mortality in critically ill patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy

High-dose vasopressor use is associated with increasing mortality in patients with septic shock. We conducted this study to determine if the high-dose of vasopressor used before the initiation of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is associated with increasing mortality in critically ill patients. We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent CRRT in the medical intensive care unit of China Medical University Hospital between 2003 and 2007. The association between mortality and highest vasopressors (dopamine and norepinephrine [NE]) dose used were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression. A total of 279 patients (170 men and 109 women) treated with CRRT in medical intensive care were reviewed and 237 (84.9%) died. In Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test, dopamine dose of ≥20 μg/kg/min and NE dose of ≥0.3 μg/kg/min were significantly linked to mortality (P = 0.007 and <0.001). In multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression, NE dose of ≥0.3 μg/kg/min, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and low platelet count were independently linked to mortality. The hazard ratios and 95% confidence interval (CI) were 1.771 (95% CI: 1.247-2.516, P = 0.001), 1.035 (95% CI: 1.012-1.058, P = 0.003), and 0.997 (95% CI: 0.996-0.999, P = 0.003), respectively. Critically ill patients treated with very high dose of NE before the initiation of CRRT have a very high mortality rate regardless of the acute kidney injury stage.     

The incidence of thrombocytopenia associated with continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients

Abstract

Introduction: Thrombocytopenia in the intensive care unit (ICU) is a commonly experienced complication; the pathology is not always easily understood. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) provides a method to dialyze unstable critically ill patients. We hypothesized that CRRT may precipitate a form of thrombocytopenia. In trials thrombocytopenia occurred at rates as high as 70%. The etiology remains unknown and results in additional diagnostic workup, as well as possible drug therapy. The extent, duration and temporal relation of thrombocytopenia remain to be determined. Objectives: Identify a pattern in platelet fluctuations after the initiation of CRRT and its impact on health care. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in patients receiving CRRT for >24?h with no pre-existing thrombocytopenia. Patients initiated on CRRT had daily platelet counts monitored, and CRRT attributes and therapeutic interventions were collected. Platelets were assessed for time to nadir, degree of decline and time to return to baseline after discontinuation of CRRT. Results: Forty-nine patients met inclusion criteria. Thirty-seven percent of patients receiving heparinoids were tested for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), during CRRT, with 39% of these patients having therapy changed to non-heparinoid agents due to suspected HIT; no HIT antibodies were positive. Eleven patients (22%) receiving anticoagulants, prophylactically or therapeutically had them held for a drop in platelets. There was a mean decline in platelets of 48% with a mean of 4.6 days to the nadir. An average 2.48 days were observed until rebound to >150?×?10³/mm³. Statistical analysis failed to identify any patient attributes that correlated with the probability of thrombocytopenia. Conclusion: CRRT appears to be associated with a drop in platelets within the first 5 days of therapy with an average decline of 48%. However, platelets appear to return to >150?×?10³/mm³ after cessation of CRRT. This fluctuation should be considered in the setting of patients developing thrombocytopenia after initiation of CRRT.     

Development of a continuous renal replacement program in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND: Critically ill patients encounter many obstacles, such as acute renal failure, that increases length of stay as well as hospital cost. Dialysis in these patients is often ineffective thereby prolonging the inevitable and significantly increasing the cost of care. A dialysis program that could improve patient care, potentially improve outcome and be "revenue neutral" would be ideal. METHODS: A continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) program was developed to significantly impact the care of critically ill patients Using the latest CRRT equipment along with an innovative hands-on CRRT training program, a specialized CRRT team was created. Working in conjunction with the hospital business office, new revenue charge codes were created and existing codes were updated. Patients who underwent CRRT had their financial records reviewed for: hospital cost to perform CRRT, total hospital billing to the payer, CRRT revenue 881 (billing units) charged to the payer, total charges and reimbursement for the account, percentage of reimbursement, collected revenue, and payer. RESULTS: From April 2000 to February 2002, 39 critically ill patients underwent CRRT. Initial set-up cost was US$79,622.80 and the cost of CRRT was US$222,323.98. The hospital billed for US$656,090.63 and assuming 100% reimbursement, the potential profit was US$427,678.50. However, loss of revenue, mainly from noncompliance with charge capture resulted in the hospital billing only US$386,794.32 with a total reimbursement of US$165,779.86. The 21 burn patients who underwent CRRT yielded a net profit of US$10,294.12, with the highest reimbursement from workman's compensation and private payers. The overall mortality rate was 59% and 65% for the burn patients; significantly lower than published national averages. CONCLUSIONS: An in-house CRRT program improved patient care by providing dialysis in patients who normally would not tolerate the procedure. Although there was a loss of revenue, CRRT in the burn patients appeared "revenue neutral." Although not specifically studied in this review, based on published data, mortality rates in this population were lower than expected especially in critically ill burn patients.     

Prognosis in critically ill children requiring continuous renal replacement therapy

We performed an observational prospective study in 53 critically ill children to analyze the prognostic factors of children requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. Pediatric index of mortality (PIM), pediatric risk of mortality score (PRISM), multi-organ failure score, serum lactate levels, blood pressure, vasoactive drugs, renal function and characteristics of renal replacement therapy were analyzed. The mortality was 32.1%, with multi-organ failure being the most frequent cause of death (59%). The children who died presented a significantly lower blood pressure and required more doses of vasoactive drugs, dopamine and epinephrine than did the survivors. The PRISM and PIM scores and the serum lactate levels and the number of organs suffering failure were significantly higher in the patients who died than in the survivors. However, the PRISM and PIM scores underestimated the risk of mortality. The age, sex, urea and creatinine levels, type of pump and volume of ultrafiltrate did not affect the prognosis. The association of a mean BP<55 mmHg and epinephrine dose >0.6 g/kg/min was predictive of mortality in 76% of the patients. We conclude that the prognosis in children requiring renal replacement therapy depends on the severity of the clinical state at the time of starting therapy, principally on the hemodynamic situation.     

Role of B-type natriuretic peptide as a marker of mortality in acute kidney injury patients treated with continuous renal replacement therapy

Abstract

Objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) treated with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is associated with poor outcome. Plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a biomarker related to fluid volume overload, and is elevated in AKI patients. The purpose of the study was to assess whether BNP levels at the time of starting CRRT could be used as a predictor of mortality in patients with AKI receiving CRRT. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study enrolling 149 patients with AKI receiving CRRT. The primary outcome was mortality during CRRT. Results: The median BNP level of 84 (56.3%) patients who expired was significantly higher than that of those who survived (1812.5 vs. 475.0?pg/mL; p?=?0.01). Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated BNP levels as a predictor of mortality during CRRT with an area under the curve of 0.77 (p?=?0.000), and the optimal threshold for BNP was 1054?pg/mL. Patients with BNP levels above 1054?pg/mL had a significantly higher mortality (76.6 vs. 34.7%; p?=?0.01). Conclusion: Elevated BNP level is associated with mortality in patients with AKI receiving CRRT.     

ICU患者持续性肾脏替代治疗非计划性下机相关因素的研究

目的探讨ICU患者持续性肾脏替代治疗(CRRT)不同时段非计划性下机的相关影响因素,为临床CRRT患者的科学管理提供依据。方法采用便利抽样法,选取2015年6月至2016年6月行CRRT的107例患者,统计CRRT非计划性下机例次,并分析相关因素。结果107例患者共行CRRT 408例次,其中非计划性下机304例次,发生率74.51%,CRRT非计划性下机的时间为(24.41±11.50)h。其中24h内下机172例次(56.58%),其受血泵速度、PT值、血小板值影响;超过24h无明确诱因下机132例次(43.42%),其受血泵速度、APTT值、抗凝方式、PT值及血小板值影响。结论 CRRT非计划性下机多发生在24h内,24h内非计划性下机与血流速、PT值、血小板值有关,同时与医护人员的操作密切相关;超过24h非计划性下机与血流速、APTT值、抗凝方式、PT值、血小板值有关。ICU科室应加强相关制度制定及医护人员专科培训,提高CRRT相关操作能力与知识水平,排除和及时处理各种报警,避免体外循环凝血,保证中心静脉留置导管的通畅。     

The 90-day mortality and the subsequent renal recovery in critically ill surgical patients requiring acute renal replacement therapy

Background

Particular attention should be paid to postoperative patients that suffer from severe acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT).

Methods

This multicenter prospective observational study included 342 patients with postoperative AKI requiring RRT from January 2002 to December 2006.

Results

There were 137 (40%) survivors at 90 days after the commencement of RRT. Independent predictors of 90-day mortality were older age, presence of sepsis, status post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation, necessity of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), requirement of total parenteral nutrition, lower body mass index, higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and higher serum lactate level at the commencement of RRT. Further analysis among the survivors showed that lower serum creatinine at intensive care unit admission, lower Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and inotropic equivalent score at the commencement of RRT, and using CRRT were independent predictors for subsequent renal recovery.

Conclusions

The development of AKI requiring RRT in postoperative critical patients represents a substantial risk for mortality and morbidity.     

心血管手术相关急性肾损伤患者行连续性肾脏替代治疗后的预后因素分析

目的探讨心血管手术相关急性肾损伤患者行连续性肾脏替代治疗后不同预后的相关因素。 方法本研究纳入2015年1月至2018年12月在南京医科大学第一附属医院住院行心血管手术治疗且接受连续性肾脏替代治疗的患者,按90 d是否死亡和90 d内RRT治疗天数(≤14 d,15～90 d,>90 d)将患者分为4组,分析90 d死亡、90 d透析依赖、90 d延迟摆脱透析的相关影响因素。 结果本研究共纳入210例患者,平均随访400 d。其中90 d死亡114例,90 d生存且14 d内摆脱透析37例,90 d生存15～90 d内摆脱透析46例,90 d生存且透析依赖13例。多因素Cox回归显示：90 d死亡的独立危险因素包括高龄(HR＝1.029,95%CI: 1.013～1.045,P<0.001)、术前血清肌酐低(HR＝0.993,95%CI: 0.987～0.998,P＝0.008)、CRRT前APACHE Ⅱ高评分(HR＝1.043, 95%CI: 1.004～1.084,P＝0.028)、CRRT前SOFA评分高(HR＝1.130, 95%CI: 1.052～1.213,P<0.001)、CRRT前脓毒症(HR＝2.327, 95%CI: 1.591～3.403,P<0.001)、CRRT前过低的舒张压(HR＝0.979,95%CI: 0.963～0.996,P＝0.013)。90 d存活患者透析依赖的独立危险因素包括术前较低的eGFR(HR＝0.962,95%CI: 0.940～0.984,P<0.001)。90 d存活患者中延迟摆脱透析的危险因素有血清白蛋白低(OR＝0.837,95%CI: 0.717～0.977,P＝0.024)、机械通气时间长(OR＝1.434,95%CI: 1.175～1.749,P<0.001)、CRRT前尿量少(OR＝0.739,95%CI: 0.623～0.876,P<0.001)。 结论心血管手术相关急性肾损伤并行连续性肾脏替代治疗患者中,90 d死亡与高龄、CRRT前疾病的严重程度、脓毒症和过低的舒张压有关;90 d存活患者透析依赖与患者术前较差的肾功能有关;90 d存活患者延迟摆脱透析与血清白蛋白低、机械通气时间长、CRRT前尿量少有关。     

超声造影对急性肾损伤治疗后肾血流灌注水平的评价

目的 本研究旨在通过超声造影（CEUS）评估脓毒症性急性肾损伤（SAKI）患者连续性肾脏替代治疗（CRRT）前后肾脏微循环灌注量,探讨其在SAKI患者CRRT后肾脏血流灌注水平的诊断价值。方法 选择2020年3月至2021年3月东莞市滨海湾中心医院重症医学科脓毒症患者77例作为研究对象。研究分为非AKI和SAKI两组,其中非AKI患者35例和SAKI患者42例,而SAKI组中分为CRRT与未行CRRT两组,而根据CRRT后肾功能恢复情况再分肾功能好转组和未好转组。所有研究对象均通过超声造影动态分析获取肾脏造影参数：峰值强度（PI）、达峰时间（TTP）、曲线下面积（AUC）。结果 SAKI组与非AKI组对比PI减弱、TTP延长、AUC减少（P均<0.05）,SKAI组CRRT后对比CRRT前PI增强、TTP缩短、AUC增加（P均<0.05）,SKAI组CRRT后肾功能好转组和未好转组比较,PI增强、TTP缩短、AUC增加（P均<0.05）。SAKI组中经CRRT后肾功能好转组和非AKI组比较,PI、TTP、AUC差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论肾脏超声造影...     

Mortality and renal prognosis in isolated metformin-associated lactic acidosis treated with continuous renal replacement therapy and citrate-calcium-anticoagulation

Introduction

Use of metformin increases plasma lactate concentration and may lead to metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA). Previous studies have suggested severe MALA to have a mortality of 17%-21%, but have included patients with other coincident conditions such as sepsis. The treatment of choice is continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), which has been performed using heparin analogues or no anticoagulation in former studies.

Materials and Methods

Patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Turku University Hospital Finland with lactic acidosis without any other recognizable etiology than concomitant metformin treatment who required CRRT between years 2010 and 2019 were included. CRRT was performed using regional citrate-calcium-anticoagulation. Data extracted included patient demographics, comorbidities, and clinical parameters at 6-hour intervals about 72 hours from admission. Creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were measured at 1 year after MALA.

Results

A total of 23 patients with isolated MALA were included in the study. Median (IQR) pH was 6.88 (6.81-7.07) and lactate 16.1 (11.9-23.0) mmol/L on admission. Median (IQR) duration of CRRT was 62 (41-70) hours. Seven patients (30%) required mechanical ventilation with a mean duration of 6.0 ± 3.0 days. 90-day mortality was 4.3% and 1-year mortality 13.0%. Creatinine (P = .02) and eGFR (P = .03) remained significantly altered at 1 year of follow-up compared to baseline.

Conclusions

MALA can be treated effectively and safely with CRRT and citrate-calcium-anticoagulation, usually required for 2-3 days. Mortality of patients with MALA treated with CRRT is low when other conditions inducing lactic acidosis are excluded. MALA episode may be associated with long-lasting kidney injury.

     

Optimizing the timing of renal replacement therapy in burn patients with acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury is a common complication in burn ICU patients and is associated with a high mortality rate. The optimal timing for starting renal replacement therapy (RRT) remains unknown; there is no established universal definition for early and late RRT initiation. The aims of the present narrative review are to briefly analyze the available recently published data on the timing of initiation of RRT in critically ill patients and to discuss the optimal timing of RRT in critically ill burn patients with acute kidney injury. When considering renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury patients, physicians face the dilemma of balancing the hazards of starting too early, exposing patient to an unnecessary therapy with possible complications and costs related to treatment, and preventing a significant proportion of patients from spontaneous recovery of their renal function against the potential life-threatening harm of initiating RRT) too late. Evidence suggests that with appropriate care up to 80% of burn patients experience recovery of kidney function and the need for RRT seems to be very rare after hospital discharge. In the absence of life-threatening complications, the optimal time and thresholds for starting RRT in burn patients are uncertain. High heterogeneity exists between studies on RRT timing in burn patients.     

Effects of continuous venovenous haemofiltration-induced cooling on global haemodynamics, splanchnic oxygen and energy balance in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: A number of haemodialysis studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of cooler dialysates on global haemodynamics in chronic dialysis patients. However, the effects of continuous venovenous haemofiltration (CVVH)-induced cooling on regional perfusion and energy metabolism in critically ill septic patients have not been well defined. METHODS: Nine septic mechanically ventilated patients (age 40-69 years) were investigated during CVVH (ultrafiltration 30-35 ml/kg/h). Baseline data (=WARM 1) were collected when core temperature (Tc) was >37.5 degrees C; the second data set (=COLD) was obtained after 120 min of 'cooling'; and a third set (=WARM 2) was obtained after 120 min of 'rewarming'. During 'warming' (WARM 1 and 2, respectively), both substitution fluids (SFs) and 'returned' blood (RB) were warmed (37 degrees C), whereas during 'cooling', the SFs were at 20 degrees C and RB was not warmed. We measured hepatic venous (HV) haemoglobin oxygen saturation (ShvO(2)), blood gases, lactate and pyruvate. Gastric mucosal PCO(2) (PgmCO(2)) was measured by air tonometry and the gastric mucosal - arterial PCO(2) difference (PCO(2) gap) was calculated. Haemodynamic monitoring was performed with arterial and pulmonary arterial thermodilution catheters. RESULTS: Tcs were significantly altered [WARM 1, 37.9 degrees C (37.6, 38.3); COLD, 36.8 degrees C (36.3, 37.1); WARM 2, 37.5 degrees C (37.0, 38.0); P<0.001; data are median, 25th and 75th percentiles, respectively]. Systemic vascular resistance significantly increased during cooling. As a result, mean arterial pressure increased. Cooling was associated with significant decreases in heart rate, cardiac output, systemic oxygen delivery and consumption. ShvO(2) did not change [WARM 1, 51.0% (44.0, 59.5); COLD, 49.0% (42.0, 58.0); WARM 2, 51.0% (46.0, 57.0); P = NS]. The splanchnic oxygen extraction ratio, the HV lactate to pyruvate ratio, HV acid base status and PCO(2) gap remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: Mild core cooling induced by CVVH may not affect hepatosplanchnic oxygen and energy balance in septic critically ill patients, even though it affects global haemodynamics.     

Serum creatine kinase levels are not associated with an increased need for continuous renal replacement therapy in patients with acute kidney injury following rhabdomyolysis

Severe rhabdomyolysis can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI). Previous studies have reported a benefit from continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI. Here, we investigated the potential for serum creatine kinase (CK) levels to be used as a marker for CRRT termination in patients with AKI following rhabdomyolysis. We compared different CK levels in patients after CRRT termination and observed their clinical outcomes. We retrospectively collected 86 cases with confirmed rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI, who were receiving CRRT in Tongji Hospital. Patients’ renal functions were assessed within 24 h of intermission, patients with urine output ≥ 1,000 mL and serum creatinine ≤ 265 umol/L were considered for CRRT termination. After termination, 33 patients with a CK > 5,000 U/L were included in an experimental group, and 53 patients with a CK < 5,000 U/L were included in a control group. Clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Higher CK levels, as well as worse renal functions, predicted the necessity of CRRT. After CRRT termination, the in-hospital mortality (p = 0.389) and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) incidence (p = 0.064) were similar between the two groups, while the experimental group showed a significantly shorter in-hospital length of stay (p = 0.026) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) length of stay (p = 0.038). CRRT termination may be independent of CK levels for patients with rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI, and this is contingent on their renal functions having recovered to an appropriate level.     

老年急性肾损伤且行肾脏替代治疗患者的预后及影响因素分析

目的了解疾病严重程度相似的急性肾损伤(AKI)且行肾脏替代治疗(RRT)的老年和中青年患者的预后及影响老年和中青年患者预后的因素。 方法回顾性分析解放军总医院2013年1月至2017年8月发生AKI且行RRT治疗的住院患者,≥60岁分为老年组,18岁≤年龄<60岁为中青年组;收集患者的人口学资料、伴随疾病、RRT启动时的生命体征、实验室检查、APACHE Ⅱ评分、SOFA评分、RRT方式及总时长,分析AKI病因。对比老年组与中青年组RRT后28d存活率以及肾脏预后;Logistic回归分析影响两组死亡的危险因素。通过倾向评分分析,再对比两组间存活率以及肾脏预后有无差异。 结果总体患者28d死亡率34.4%,其中中青年组死亡率23.9%,老年组死亡率45.5%,两组之间有显著性差异(χ²＝16.27,P<0.001)。倾向评分匹配后,中青年组死亡率32.3%,老年组死亡率38.5%,两组之间差异无统计学意义(χ²＝0.538,P＝0.463)。无论是否进行倾向评分匹配纠正两组间总体病情的轻重,中青年组的短期肾脏预后与老年组差异均无统计学意义。影响老年患者死亡的危险因素是年龄及肿瘤,影响中青年组患者死亡的危险因素是APACHE Ⅱ评分。 结论在病情轻重相似的老年和中青年重症AKI患者中,短期死亡率没有显著性差异。在重症老年组,肾脏短期预后较中青年组无差异,即使采用倾向评分匹配后,仍支持这一结论。     

A systematic review of continuous renal replacement therapy and intermittent haemodialysis in management of patients with acute renal failure

Background: Acute renal failure (ARF) still bears a poor prognosis with mortality rates up to 70% and the ideal form of renal replacement therapy (RRT) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCT) to examine the effect of dialysis modality (IHD: Intermittent haemodialysis; CRRT: continuous renal replacement therapy) on survival of patients with ARF and to also study the effect of each modality on dialysis dependence (DD). Methods: Using and combining two comprehensive search themes (ARF and RRT), we searched electronic databases from 1969 through September of 2007, supplemented by a manual review of abstracts from nephrology meetings and reference lists of review articles. All RCT comparing IHD with CRRT in adult patients with ARF and with explicit reporting of mortality were included. The primary outcome was the pooled estimate of the odds ratio (OR) of mortality for patients with ARF treated with CRRT versus IHD. The secondary outcome was OR of DD at time of discharge for surviving patients. Results: A total of 587 studies were identified, 554 of which were excluded on initial screening. Analysis of the nine RCT (1635 patients) showed an OR of 0.89 (0.63–1.24) for survival in patients on CRRT. Limiting the analysis to the seven RCT published after the year 2000, revealed an OR of 0.72 (0.58–0.90). The OR of all the studies before 2000 was 1.06 (95% CI 0.67–1.68), as compared with OR of 0.61 (95% CI 0.50–0.74) for studies post-2000. Four studies showed a significantly lower risk of DD among the CRRT group and none showed higher OR for DD. When analysis was limited to the RCT, the OR for DD was 1.07 (0.47–2.39), suggesting no difference in DD between the modalities. Conclusions: Similar to previously reported meta-analyses, we did not find a significant effect of CRRT on the OR of survival. The progressive reduction in the OR of survival with CRRT relative to IHD might reflect progressive improvements in IHD. The OR of DD was not affected by mode of RRT. In conclusion, compared with IHD, CRRT does not offer an advantage with regards to survival or DD in ARF. Considering its cost and potential disadvantages, it is imperative to identify the subset of patients with ARF that would potentially derive maximum benefit from CRRT. This will require large, adequately powered studies with sufficient follow-up.