The influence of parenteral nutrition on the course of acute renal failure.

The influence of hypertonic glucose with and without added amino acids was studied in 129 consecutive postoperative patients with acute renal failure. The addition of amino acids was associated with lower mortality and morbidity rates in the patients who received dialysis as well as in those who did not. There was no significant differences in the blood urea nitrogen levels of the two groups. The incidence of hyperkalemia and the rise in plasma osmolality were less in the group given adequate calories and amino acids.