Renal and respiratory failure in Scottish ICUs

The purpose of this study was to define the outcome of patients receiving both renal replacement therapy and mechanical ventilation in 16 Scottish intensive care units over a 2-year period. Patients were identified from the Scottish Intensive Care Society's database. Survivors developing end-stage renal failure were identified after examination of the Scottish Renal Registry's database. Mortality was 64.2% (392/612) for all patients receiving renal replacement therapy and mechanical ventilation. End-stage renal failure developed in 1.6% (3/188) of the survivors of acute renal failure and in 33% (4/11) of the survivors with pre-existing chronic renal failure. Mortality has not improved when compared with earlier studies. End-stage renal failure rarely develops following acute renal failure in the intensive care unit.