Should Hemodialysis for Renal Replacement Treatment in Hospitalized Patients with Acute Kidney Injury be Intermittent or Continuous

OBJECTIVE: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent complication of hospitalized patients that is associated with high mortality rate despite all developments. Continuous and intermittent hemodialysis are renal replacement treatment modalities for AKI. In our study we aimed to compare the mortality rates of continuous hemodialysis (CHD) and intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) in hospitalized patients. MATERIAL and METHODS: Seventy-two patients in Uludag University Hospital diagnosed with AKI in 2008 were enrolled our study. Intermittent or continuous hemodialysis was prescribed by the nephrology counsultant. Data were recorded from patients files retrospectively. RESULTS: Patients were divided into two groups (38 IHD, 34 CHD). Mortality rate (52,6%, 88,2%), oligoanuria (63.2%, 94.1%), positive inotrope therapy (28.9%, 85.3%), sepsis (15.8%, 55.9%), mechanical ventilation (15.8%, 76.5%), rate of surgery (2.6%, 32.4%) and the SOFA score (7.1, 9.5) were significantly higher in CHD group. CONCLUSION: The mortality rate was higher in CHD group, and this might be associated with the greater severity of problems such as hemodynamic instability, multi-organ dysfunction and co-morbid diseases in this group.