When Should Renal Replacement Therapy for Acute Kidney Injury Be Initiated and Discontinued?

Critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) are at high risk for death and frequently require initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT). There is wide variation in clinical practice on the indications for and timing of initiation and discontinuation of RRT. Numerous clinical and biochemical factors (i.e. uremic, metabolic, fluid balance) have been used; however, at present there is no consensus to guide clinicians on the most favorable time to initiate and/or discontinue RRT to optimize patient outcomes.