Outcome of early versus late CRRT in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury

AKI is a common but serious complication in acutely unwell patients and results in high morbidity and mortality. This review considers the issue of the effects of early versus late initiation of CRRT on patient outcomes. Early CRRT may be defined as inception shortly after the diagnosis of AKI has been established, especially in the case of signs related to fluid overload or severe electrolyte disturbances. Early CRRT would offer potential benefits like an improved survival rate, complications avoided as regards pulmonary edema and cardiac failure, better nutritional support, and a reduced need for more intensive renal replacement support later. On the other hand, late CRRT is performed in clinical practice when more severe AKI manifestations have occurred, which are usually associated with higher mortality and complications due to fluid overload and metabolic disturbances. Key studies referred to report worse outcomes for late initiation, considering higher multi-organ failure and prolongation of the length of stay in the ICU. Most observational studies report better outcomes with early CRRT, while randomized controlled trials exhibit variable results, with some finding no clinically significant difference in mortality between the timing of early and delayed initiation.