Recent clinical advances in the management of critically ill patients with acute renal failure

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Significant progress has been made in the field of renal replacement therapy for critically ill patients with acute renal failure (ARF) over the past few years. This review highlights these developments. METHODS: Recent studies assessing the clinical utility of the RIFLE classification system for the diagnosis of ARF were reviewed. Clinical outcome studies evaluating the effect of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) dose and timing of initiation were assessed. The final review topic was the effect of dialysis modality on the recovery of renal function in ARF patients. CONCLUSIONS: Based on recent clinical studies, the increasing use of the RIFLE criteria is justified, as ..