Diuretics, Mortality, and Nonrecovery of Renal Function in Acute Renal Failure

To determine whether the use of diuretics is associated with adverse or favorable outcomes in critically ill patients with acute renal failure.

Cohort study conducted from October 1989 to September 1995. PATIENTS AND SETTING: A total of 552 patients with acute renal failure in intensive care units at 4 academic medical centers affiliated with the University of California. Patients were categorized by the use of diuretics on the day of nephrology consultation and, in companion analyses, by diuretic use at any time during the first week following consultation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All-cause hospital mortality, nonrecovery of renal function, and the combined outcome of death or nonrecovery.