Anemia Linked to Increased All-Cause Mortality in Critically Ill Patients Post-CRRT

Anemia frequently complicates the clinical course of critically ill patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). 
A recent retrospective cohort study examined the implications of anemia, characterized by the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusions or erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), on patient outcomes after discharge from the hospital. 
Utilizing data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment database in South Korea, the study encompassed 10,923 adult patients who received CRRT for at least three days between 2010 and 2019 and were discharged alive.
The findings indicated that patients with anemia tended to be older, predominantly female, and had a higher prevalence of comorbid conditions compared to those without anemia. 
While anemia did not correlate with an increased risk of new-onset cardiovascular events (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85-1.29), it was significantly associated with a heightened risk of all-cause mortality (aHR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.30-1.53). 
These results suggest that, for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury requiring CRRT, the presence of anemia may substantially elevate the long-term risk of mortality, highlighting the importance of monitoring and managing anemia in this vulnerable population.