Grant: Operating Grant

Acute kidney injury (AKI) represents a sudden decline in kidney function and is associated with a high risk of death. When AKI is severe, some patients require the initiation of kidney replacement therapy in the form of dialysis. Dialysis replaces the kidneys' usual functions by the removal of toxins, minerals and excess fluid from the blood. There is substantial debate about when to start dialysis in patients with AKI. The standard approach is to wait until a life-threatening complication of AKI develops. However, some small studies suggested that starting therapy sooner may be of benefit. We propose a pilot trial to establish the feasibility of comparing early-accelerated dialysis initiation versus standard initiation in patients with AKI. This information will lay the groundwork for a large definitive trial that will determine whether early initiation of dialysis leads to a higher likelihood of survival and recovery of kidney function.