Continuous renal replacement therapy in intensive care patients with COVID-19; survival and renal recovery

J Crit Care. 2021 Aug:64:125-130. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2021.04.002. Epub 2021 Apr 17.

Abstract

Background: Outcome for critically ill patients with COVID-19 treated with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is largely unknown. We describe mortality and renal outcome in this group.

Methods: This observational study was conducted at a university hospital in Sweden. We studied critically ill adult COVID-19 patients with Acute Kidney injury (AKI) who received CRRT.

Results: In 451 patients, AKI incidence was 43.7%. 18.2% received CRRT. Median age of CRRT patients was 60 years (IQR 54-65), 90% were male, median BMI was 29 (IQR 25-32), 23.2% had Diabetes, 37.8% hypertension and 6.1% chronic kidney disease prior to admission. 100% required mechanical ventilation. 8.5% received Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation. Median length of stay was 23 days (IQR 15-26). ICU mortality was 39% and 90-day mortality was 45.1%. Age, baseline creatinine values and body weight change were associated with 60 days mortality. Of the survivors, no patients required dialysis at hospital discharge, 73.8% recovered renal function and a median 10.5% of body weight was lost during admission.

Conclusions: Critically ill COVID-19 patients with AKI who received CRRT had a 90-day mortality of 45.1%. At follow-up, three quarters of survivors had recovered renal function. This information is important in the clinical management of COVID-19.

Keywords: Acute kidney injury; COVID-19; Death; Dialysis; Outcomes; Renal recovery; Renal replacement therapy.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / etiology*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / mortality
  • Acute Kidney Injury / therapy*
  • Aged
  • COVID-19 / complications*
  • COVID-19 / mortality
  • COVID-19 / therapy*
  • Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy*
  • Critical Care
  • Critical Illness
  • Female
  • Hospital Mortality
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recovery of Function
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Survival Analysis
  • Sweden / epidemiology
  • Weight Loss