High calorie essential amino acid parenteral therapy in acute renal failure.

Analysis of data from a heterogenous, acutely ill series of 192 patients with acute renal failure confirmed earlier reports of diminished BUN and serum potassium, magnesium, and phosphorous in association with hypertonic dextrose and essential amino acid intake suggesting urea reutilization and decreased catabolism. Based on serum creatinine levels, renal function appeared to improve somewhat, but mortality appeared to be little changed by treatment. Comparison of these results with the dramatic effects on survival and renal function reported earlier suggests that infusion of hypertonic dextrose and essential amino acids may result in earlier return of renal function and a greater chance of survival in selected patients with few complications and potentially reversible acute renal failure.