Research Article

Evaluation of the effect of acute kidney injury on weaning from mechanical ventilators in intensive care patients

Volume: 53 Number: 2 June 5, 2026
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Evaluation of the effect of acute kidney injury on weaning from mechanical ventilators in intensive care patients

Abstract

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) affects 5–30% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients and is associated with increased mortality (40– 90%), prolonged ICU stays, and higher healthcare costs. While the interplay between lung and kidney injury is increasingly recognized, the impact of AKI on weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV) remains underexplored. This study evaluates the effect of AKI on MV weaning outcomes in ICU patients. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in an Internal Medicine ICU (2010–2015). Patients intubated for respiratory failure (≥48 hours) were included, excluding those with chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, or heart failure. AKI was defined according to the KDIGO criteria based on serum creatinine levels (an increase of ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours or ≥1.5-fold within 7 days). Due to the retrospective nature of the study, urine output data were not reliably available for all patients and therefore were not included in the AKI definition. AKI was assessed based on data obtained during the intensive care course and was considered to have developed during ICU hospitalization. A total of 100 patients with AKI and 100 without AKI were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, laboratory parameters (creatinine, albumin, hemoglobin, pH, PaO₂, PaCO₂), SOFA and APACHE II scores, sepsis status, and weaning outcomes. Statistical analyses included Student’s t-test, chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression. The multivariable model included AKI status, age, APACHE II score, SOFA score, albumin level, and sepsis as covariates. Results: Overall weaning success was 28% (56/200), with 13% in the AKI group and 43% in the non-AKI group (p<0.001) . Patients with AKI had significantly higher creatinine levels (2.99±1.3 vs. 0.78±0.22 mg/dL, p<0.001), APACHE II scores (28.2±5.4 vs. 22.3±4.6, p<0.001), and SOFA scores (10.1±3.1 vs. 7.7±2.7, p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, absence of AKI was independently associated with successful weaning (OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.03–5.13, p=0.043). In addition, lower APACHE II score was also independently associated with weaning success (p=0.030). Age showed borderline significance (p=0.081), whereas no independent association was found between weaning success and SOFA score, albumin level, or sepsis (all p>0.05). Conclusion: AKI significantly impairs weaning from mechanical ventilation in ICU patients. Even after adjustment for disease severity, AKI remains an independent predictor of weaning failure. Early recognition of AKI may improve clinical management and facilitate successful weaning.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the local ethics committee (16.12.2016/33).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Health Care Administration, Medical Education, Health Services and Systems (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Eren Eynel * This is me
Türkiye

Emre Aydın
Türkiye

Yasar Yildirim This is me
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 5, 2026

Submission Date

January 9, 2026

Acceptance Date

May 7, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 53 Number: 2

APA
Eynel, E., Aydın, E., Yılmaz Aydın, F., Yildirim, Y., Kara, A. V., Kadiroğlu, A. K., Yılmaz, Z., & Yılmaz, M. E. (2026). Evaluation of the effect of acute kidney injury on weaning from mechanical ventilators in intensive care patients. Dicle Medical Journal, 53(2), 399-406. https://doi.org/10.5798/dicletip.1964534
AMA
1.Eynel E, Aydın E, Yılmaz Aydın F, et al. Evaluation of the effect of acute kidney injury on weaning from mechanical ventilators in intensive care patients. Dicle Medical Journal. 2026;53(2):399-406. doi:10.5798/dicletip.1964534
Chicago
Eynel, Eren, Emre Aydın, Fatma Yılmaz Aydın, et al. 2026. “Evaluation of the Effect of Acute Kidney Injury on Weaning from Mechanical Ventilators in Intensive Care Patients”. Dicle Medical Journal 53 (2): 399-406. https://doi.org/10.5798/dicletip.1964534.
EndNote
Eynel E, Aydın E, Yılmaz Aydın F, Yildirim Y, Kara AV, Kadiroğlu AK, Yılmaz Z, Yılmaz ME (June 1, 2026) Evaluation of the effect of acute kidney injury on weaning from mechanical ventilators in intensive care patients. Dicle Medical Journal 53 2 399–406.
IEEE
[1]E. Eynel et al., “Evaluation of the effect of acute kidney injury on weaning from mechanical ventilators in intensive care patients”, Dicle Medical Journal, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 399–406, June 2026, doi: 10.5798/dicletip.1964534.
ISNAD
Eynel, Eren - Aydın, Emre - Yılmaz Aydın, Fatma - Yildirim, Yasar - Kara, Ali Veysel - Kadiroğlu, Ali Kemal - Yılmaz, Zülfikar - Yılmaz, Mehmet Emin. “Evaluation of the Effect of Acute Kidney Injury on Weaning from Mechanical Ventilators in Intensive Care Patients”. Dicle Medical Journal 53/2 (June 1, 2026): 399-406. https://doi.org/10.5798/dicletip.1964534.
JAMA
1.Eynel E, Aydın E, Yılmaz Aydın F, Yildirim Y, Kara AV, Kadiroğlu AK, Yılmaz Z, Yılmaz ME. Evaluation of the effect of acute kidney injury on weaning from mechanical ventilators in intensive care patients. Dicle Medical Journal. 2026;53:399–406.
MLA
Eynel, Eren, et al. “Evaluation of the Effect of Acute Kidney Injury on Weaning from Mechanical Ventilators in Intensive Care Patients”. Dicle Medical Journal, vol. 53, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 399-06, doi:10.5798/dicletip.1964534.
Vancouver
1.Eren Eynel, Emre Aydın, Fatma Yılmaz Aydın, Yasar Yildirim, Ali Veysel Kara, Ali Kemal Kadiroğlu, Zülfikar Yılmaz, Mehmet Emin Yılmaz. Evaluation of the effect of acute kidney injury on weaning from mechanical ventilators in intensive care patients. Dicle Medical Journal. 2026 Jun. 1;53(2):399-406. doi:10.5798/dicletip.1964534