Prolonged intermittent dialysis as an alternative to continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective. The purpose of the study was to compare the impact of prolonged intermittent renal replacement therapy (PIRRT) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on the outcomes of critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods. A systematic search for peer-reviewed papers published in PubMed, Scopus и Science Index and a meta-analysis of all randomized and cohort studies on CRRT/ PIRRT comparison were carried out. In accordance with the mean points of patients obtained by APACHE II score (threshold of 27 points), all studies were stratified in two groups. The incidence of clinical outcomes such as mortality, length of stay in intensive care unit (ICU), recovery of kidney function and fluid removal were evaluated. The results were pooled using a random-effects model. Results. We identified 19 studies from 2000 to August 2015, 7 of which were randomized and 12 considered as cohort ones. Group I (APACHE II