Nutrition in Acute Renal Failure: A Reappraisal for the 1990s
■ Objective: To review current concepts regarding the rationale for and choice of nutritional support and nutritional assessment techniques in patients with catabolic acute renal failure (ARF). ■ Data sources: Published references, conference proceedings, and personal observations. ■ Conclusions: Providing optimal nutritional support to patients with catabolic ARF requires recognition of the nutritional requirements of patients with catabolic ARF, modification of standard nutritional assessment techniques, and familiarity with the unique characteristics of current forms of renal replacement therapies. Use of these techniques may allow for the improvement of nutritional status in this patient population and ultimately have a positive effect on outcome.