Continuous Kidney Replacement Therapy and Outcomes of Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 Treated With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Introduction Although continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) for acute kidney injury (AKI) management is common, its effect on the outcomes of patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the impact of CKRT on the outcomes of these patients. Methods Using a database of patients with severe COVID‐19 who required venovenous ECMO across three centers in Japan, we assessed demographics, clinical parameters, and in‐hospital mortality rates from January 2020 to December 2021. Results Data of 122 patients treated with ECMO for COVID‐19 were analyzed. Forty‐five patients required CKRT; the in‐hospital mortality rate was 28.7%. Multivariate analysis showed age and CKRT were independent risk factors for in‐hospital mortality. The in‐hospital mortality rate was significantly higher in the CKRT group. Conclusion CKRT was associated with significantly high in‐hospital mortality in patients treated with ECMO for severe COVID‐19.