Parenteral nutrition with essential amino acids in pretransplantation anephrics.

The effect of intravenous hyperalimentation with essential amino acids and hypertonic dextrose on nitrogen metabolism, total body urea and creatinine was studied in 16 patients with end-stage renal disease prior to and after bilateral nephrectomy, splenectomy and appendectomy. Parenteral essential amino acids and hypertonic dextrose are effective in lowering blood urea nitrogen in anephric patients who are incapable of improving renal function. The inclusion of essential amino acids in hypertonic dextrose increases nutritional value far beyond that which can be attributed to the caloric concentration of the amino acids themselves.