Acute renal failure in polytraumatized patients: prediction of outcome

Prediction of outcome of acute renal failure (ARF), particularly in patients with multisystem organ failure (MSOF), is a very important issue and a very difficult task. In patients with ARF as a consequence of severe polytrauma, frequent complications (e.g., sepsis, respiratory insufficiency, DIC, hepatic insufficiency, etc.) contribute to a hyperbolic state, and in the case of synergistic action, they start the mechanism of MSOF. In 33 patients (1 female, 32 male, 38.61 +/- 8.79 years) with severe polytrauma acquired in war combat, ARF developed requiring hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Seventeen out of 33 (51.4%) recovered renal function. In 12 out of 33 patients, MSOF occurred with less successful recovery results. The analysis of pathophysiologic mechanisms of MSOF appearance and ARF outcome has shown the importance of blast injuries, bowel injury, respiratory insufficiency requiring assisted ventilation, and sepsis. Although severe hemorrhage and shock are the common mechanism of ARF appearance in these patients, it seems that wounds by themselves can be of great importance, as abdominal wounds are more frequently associated with ARF and MSOF than in other types.