Mechanical ventilation and acute kidney injury in patients in the intensive care unit

Objective: To verify the impact of mechanical ventilation use in patients admitted to the intensive care unit and the incidence of acute kidney injury. Methods: A prospective, quantitative cohort study of 27 patients receiving mechanical ventilatory support while hospitalized in the intensive care unit of a public hospital. Results: The majority (55.6%) of patients were classified according to the kidney injury stages listed in the Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-Stage (RIFLE) classification. Of these patients, 45.8% received mechanical ventilation with between 5 and 10 cmH2O positive end-expiratory pressure and progressed to acute kidney injury. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Disease Classification System II (APACHE II) was significantly associated with renal dysfunction (p = 0.046). Conclusion: The use of invasive mechanical ventilator support with positive end-expiratory pressure in critically ill patients in intensive care units can impair renal function.