RIFLE classification is predictive of short-term prognosis in critically ill patients with acute renal failure supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Abstract
Background. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been utilized for critically ill patients, such as those with post-cardiotomy cardiogenic shock or life-threatening respiratory failure. Acute renal failure following ECMO support has an extremely elevated mortality rate. This study examined the outcomes of patients treated with ECMO and characterized the association between mortality and RIFLE (risk of renal failure, injury to the kidney, failure of kidney function, loss of kidney function and end-stage renal failure) classification.