There is no consensus definition of acute renal failure (ARF) in critically ill patients. More than 30 different definitions have been used in the literature, creating much confusion and making comparisons difficult. Similarly, strong debate exists on the validity and clinical relevance of animal models of ARF; on choices of fluid management and of end-points for trials of new interventions in this field; and on how information technology can be used to assist this process. Accordingly, we sought to review the available evidence, make recommendations and delineate key questions for future studies. We undertook a systematic review of the literature using Medline and PubMed searches. We determined a list of key questions and convened a 2-day consensus conference to develop summary statements via a series of alternating breakout and plenary sessions. In these sessions, we identified supporting evidence and generated recommendations and/or directions for future research. We found sufficient consensus on 47 questions to allow the development of recommendations. Importantly, we were able to develop a consensus definition for ARF. In some cases it was also possible to issue useful consensus recommendations for future investigations. We present a summary of the findings. (Full versions of the six workgroups' findings are available on the internet at http://www.ADQI.net
 ) Despite limited data, broad areas of consensus exist for the physiological and clinical principles needed to guide the development of consensus recommendations for defining ARF, selection of animal models, methods of monitoring fluid therapy, choice of physiological and clinical end-points for trials, and the possible role of information technology.

/pdf/acute-renal-failure-definition-outcome-measures-animal-3m4l0j5jsf.pdf

Acute renal failure - definition, outcome measures, animal models, fluid therapy and information technology needs: the Second International Consensus Conference of the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative (ADQI) Group.

http://drop-kicker.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/kyle-bia.pdf

Bioelectrical impedance analysis--part I: review of principles and methods.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis-part II: utilization in clinical practice.

EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of patients with decompensated cirrhosis

EASL clinical practice guidelines on the management of ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and hepatorenal syndrome in cirrhosis.

https://aasldpubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1053/jhep.2000.20524

Bioelectrical impedance analysis is a useful bedside technique to assess malnutrition in cirrhotic patients with and without ascites.

Weight gain after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is associated with improvement in body composition in malnourished patients with cirrhosis and hypermetabolism.

Cushing's syndrome (CS) is associated with low fat-free mass, but it is unclear whether hypercortisolism causes a loss of whole body protein. Body composition was studied prospectively in 15 patients with untreated CS (n = 14 pituitary adenoma; n = 1 adrenal adenoma), in 15 nonobese healthy controls, and in 15 weight-matched obese controls by 3 different methods: total body potassium counting (TBP), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and anthropometry. In 6 patients, body composition was studied before and within 6 months after pituitary surgery. In CS patients and weight-matched controls, body weight and total body fat were significantly higher than in nonobese controls. In CS patients, TBP was 18.4% lower than predicted, whereas in weight-matched controls TBP was 7.1% higher than predicted. As compared with nonobese and weight-matched controls, in CS patients TBP indicated a significant loss of body cell mass (BCM) of -20.2 and -21.1%, respectively. A significantly reduced arm muscle area of -21.3% compared with weight-matched controls also indicated a loss of whole body protein. In CS, however, BIA overestimated BCM when compared with TBP by +18% and agreement between BIA and TBP in the individual patient was poor (limits of agreement plus minus 27.6%), indicating the invalidity of standard BIA equations in this population. Measurements performed before and 6 months after successful pituitary surgery demonstrated a significant loss of body weight (-11%) and body fat (-33%), but BCM and muscle mass remained on a constant low level. In conclusion, this study shows that, in patients with CS, a significantly reduced BCM indicates a true protein loss. The second interesting finding is that in the early recovery after successful treatment of hypercortisolism patients lose body fat without gaining BCM or muscle mass.

/pdf/loss-of-body-cell-mass-in-cushing-s-syndrome-effect-of-3xphha2ctz.pdf

Siegfried Ertl

Papers

Bioelectrical impedance analysis is a useful bedside technique to assess malnutrition in cirrhotic patients with and without ascites.

Weight gain after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is associated with improvement in body composition in malnourished patients with cirrhosis and hypermetabolism.

Loss of Body Cell Mass in Cushing’s Syndrome: Effect of Treatment