Also in this section

• Studies
• The Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease
• Improving Indigenous Patient Access to Kidney Transplantation - IMPAKT
• International Collaborative Study of Cardiovascular Disease in Asia - InterASIA
• The Kanyini Vascular Collaboration
• RCT of Normal vs. Augmented Level of Renal Replacement Therapy in ICU - RENAL
• Study of Heart and Renal Protection - SHARP

RCT of Normal vs. Augmented Level of Renal Replacement Therapy in ICU - RENAL

Factsheet:

The RENAL Study factsheet

Background:

There is evidence from a previous study suggesting that using higher doses (the augmented group in this study) of renal replacement therapy compared with normal doses improves the survival of patients with kidney failure in ICU. The improvements in survival seen in this previous study were enough to suggest that wider adoption of higher doses could save a considerable number of lives. This augmented dosing treatment has not been widely adopted anywhere in the world for a variety of reasons, including the fact that the study came from a single centre and treated a different patient mix compared to that seen in most Australian ICUs. If similar improvements were to be seen in the RENAL study, the augmented dosing renal replacement therapy would likely become the standard of treatment in many more countries with the potential to save many lives.

Aims:

The RENAL study (Randomised Evaluation of Normal vs Augmented Level of renal replacement therapy in ICU) is studying the effect of different doses of dialysis (renal replacement therapy) in patients with severe, acute kidney failure in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods:

The study will involve 36 ICUs from around Australia and New Zealand, aiming to enrol around 1500 patients over a two-year period. Patients presenting to those ICUs requiring renal replacement therapy will be randomly allocated to receive either an augmented dose or normal dose of renal replacement therapy as part of their usual treatment in ICU. The study is primarily measuring the survival of patients at 28 and 90 days following admission to the ICU.

Status/Results:

As of April 2008:

• 36 centres across Australia and New Zealand have been initiated
• 35 sites are actively recruiting patients
• 1243 patients have been recruited
• The study is progressing well and is expected to be completed in January 2009
• The RENAL Study is now the largest ever CRRT trial to be undertaken

Institute Investigators:

• Professor Robyn Norton
• Dr Alan Cass

Project Manager:

• Ms Joanne Lee

Clinical Research Associates:

• Ms Alana Morrison
• Ms Lorraine Little

Senior Research Fellow:

• Dr Martin Gallagher

Collaboration:

• Australia and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Clinical Trials Group (ANZICS-CTG)

Funding Agencies:

• National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)