A Prospective Observational Study on the Predictive Value of Serum Cystatin C for Successful Weaning from Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Abstract

Background/aims: There is a paucity of literature that investigates a biomarker associated with successful renal recovery following continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Our study aimed to identify potential renal biomarkers or clinical indicators that could predict the successful weaning from CRRT.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study of 110 patients who had received CRRT and were weaned after renal recovery. Patients were considered to have successfully weaned from CRRT once there was no need for renal replacement therapy (RRT) for at least 14 days. For patients who had to restart dialysis within 14 days were considered unsuccessful.

Results: Of the 110 patients evaluated, 89 (80.9%) were successfully weaned from CRRT. These patients had lower serum cystatin C (CysC) levels and higher urine output than the group that restarted RRT at the time of CRRT cessation. However, the levels of serum creatinine and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin were not significantly lower in the successful group compared to the restart-RRT group. A multivariable logistic regression showed that serum CysC was an independent predictor for the successful weaning from CRRT. Furthermore, in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis, the group that was successfully weaned from CRRT had a lower in-hospital mortality compared to the restarted RRT group.

Conclusion: Serum CysC, at the time of CRRT cessation, is an independent predictor of the successful weaning from CRRT in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury.

Keywords: Cystatin C; Intensive care unit; Renal replacement therapy; Weaning.