Acute Renal Failure and Mechanical Ventilation: Reality or Myth?

What changes associated with mechanical ventilation can acute renal failure be linked to?

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a common complication in critically ill patients. In a 5-year analysis of incidence and mortality published in 2002, Pruchnicki and Dasta¹ estimated that it occurs in up to 25% of all patients admitted to the hospital with a critical illness. In a more recent multicenter, multinational analysis² of almost 30000 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions in 54 study centers in 23 countries, ARF developed during the hospital stay in 5.7% of all the patients. Of those patients, approximately 60% died, with a higher prevalence among patients receiving renal replacement therapy. Although dialysis techniques have markedly improved since the 1980s, resulting in improved outcomes, ARF remains an independent predictor of hospital mortality in critically ill patients.^2,3 In fact, the process of or the comorbid conditions associated with the...