Comparison of two delayed strategies for renal replacement therapy initiation for severe acute kidney injury (AKIKI 2): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, controlled trial

Timing of renal-replacement therapy in intensive care unit-related acute kidney injury

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The optimal timing of renal-replacement therapy (RRT) initiation for the management of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is frequently controversial. An earlier-strategy has biological rationale, even in the absence of urgent indications; however, a delayed-strategy may prevent selected patients from receiving RRT and avoid complications related to RRT.

RECENT FINDINGS

Previous studies assessing the optimal timing of RRT initiation found conflicting results, contributing to variation in clinical practice. The recent multinational trial, standard vs. accelerated initiation of renal replacement therapy in acute kidney injury (STARRT-AKI) found no survival benefit and a higher risk of RRT dependence with an accelerated compared to a standard RRT initiation strategy in critically ill patients with severe AKI. Nearly 40% of patients allocated to the standard-strategy group did not receive RRT. The Artificial Kidney Initiation in Kidney Injury-2 (AKIKI-2) trial further assessed delayed compared to more-delayed strategies for RRT initiation. The more-delayed strategy did not confer an increase in RRT-free days and was associated with a higher risk of death.

SUMMARY

Early preemptive initiation of RRT in critically ill patients with AKI does not confer clear clinical benefits. However, protracted delays in RRT initiation may be harmful.

Management of acute kidney injury associated with Covid-19: what have we learned?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Although initially kidney involvement in COVID-19 infection was felt to occur relatively infrequently, this has proved not to be the case. In critically ill patients with COVID-19, multiorgan failure including acute kidney injury (AKI) is common and is associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity. This review focuses briefly on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of COVID-19 associated AKI as well as options for management.

RECENT FINDINGS

The risk factors for AKI are common to both noncovid-related AKI and COVID-19 associated AKI. Kidney injury in COVID-19 associated AKI may arise through several mechanisms, including not only direct effects on the kidney leading to tubular injury but also through the effects of treatment of multiorgan failure complicating infection. During surge conditions, the use of kidney replacement therapy has embraced all modalities including the use of peritoneal dialysis. The use of blood purification techniques has been proposed, but to date, the results are variable.

SUMMARY

COVID-19 associated AKI is common, affecting approximately a quarter of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Glomerular injury can occur, but in the main tubular injury seems most likely leading to AKI, which should be managed following clinical pathways informed by accepted guidelines.

Prescribing Continuous Kidney Replacement Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury: A Narrative Review

Severe acute kidney injury is a common complication in critically ill patients, often necessitating support with a modality of kidney replacement therapy. Continuous kidney replacement therapies (CKRTs) have become a mainstay in the management of patients with acute kidney injury in the intensive care unit. Understanding the fundamentals of CKRT is necessary to safely and effectively prescribe treatment. In this narrative review, we summarize critical aspects of CKRT management, including selection of the mode of therapy; choice of hemofilter/hemodialyzer used; determination of the blood flow rate, composition and flow rates of dialysate and/or replacement fluids, and the ultrafiltration rate; and use and methods of anticoagulation. Requirements for vascular access and appropriate monitoring and dose adjustment of medications and a plan for monitoring the delivery of therapy and ensuring appropriate nutritional management are also discussed.

Timing of Kidney Support Therapy in Acute Kidney Injury: What Are We Waiting For?

The optimal timing of kidney support therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) without life-threatening complications related to AKI is controversial. Recent multicenter, randomized, controlled studies have questioned the need for earlier initiation of therapy, despite one study showing a benefit in survival and others with no differences in mortality based on the timing of kidney support therapy initiation. These findings reflect the uncertainties in decisions to initiate kidney support therapy, which should ideally be individualized according to the patient's comorbidities, severity of illness, trajectory of kidney function, and urine output as well as requirements for fluid balance and solute removal. A delayed approach could translate into a potentially reduced burden of dialysis dependence in addition to saving health resources. However, we must ascertain what constitutes the waiting period and the benefits and risks associated with this approach. This article reviews the concept of timing of dialysis in AKI, performs a critical assessment of the most important clinical trials in this topic, discusses ongoing research and knowledge gaps, and defines key research issues to address in the future.

[Acute kidney injury - Update 2021]

One in five hospitalized patients suffers acute kidney injury (AKI). Depending on its severity, AKI is associated with an up to 15-fold increased risk of mortality and constitutes a major risk factor for subsequent cardiovascular events and for the development of chronic kidney disease. This concise review summarizes recently published studies, focusing on 1.) automated AKI detection using electronic health records-based AKI alert systems, 2.) renal replacement therapy and its optimal timing and anticoagulation regimen, and 3.) coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) associated AKI.

Acute kidney injury in the critically ill: an updated review on pathophysiology and management

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is now recognized as a heterogeneous syndrome that not only affects acute morbidity and mortality, but also a patient’s long-term prognosis. In this narrative review, an update on various aspects of AKI in critically ill patients will be provided. Focus will be on prediction and early detection of AKI (e.g., the role of biomarkers to identify high-risk patients and the use of machine learning to predict AKI), aspects of pathophysiology and progress in the recognition of different phenotypes of AKI, as well as an update on nephrotoxicity and organ cross-talk. In addition, prevention of AKI (focusing on fluid management, kidney perfusion pressure, and the choice of vasopressor) and supportive treatment of AKI is discussed. Finally, post-AKI risk of long-term sequelae including incident or progression of chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular events and mortality, will be addressed.

Optimising the timing of renal replacement therapy in acute kidney injury

The optimal timing of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) has been much debated. Over the past five years several studies have provided new guidance for evidence-based decision-making. High-quality evidence now supports an approach of expectant management in critically ill patients with AKI, where RRT may be deferred up to 72 h unless a life-threatening indication develops. Nevertheless, physicians’ judgment still plays a central role in identifying appropriate patients for expectant management.