This study examines the role of extracorporeal life support flow in the development of acute kidney injury in cardiogenic shock.

We performed a retrospective analysis of 465 patients placed on extracorporeal life support at our institution between January 2015 and December 2020 for cardiogenic shock. Flow index was calculated by dividing mean flow by body surface. Stages of acute kidney injury were determined according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) organization guidelines.

There were 179 (38.5%) patients who developed acute kidney injury, 63.1% of which were classified as Stage 3–the only subgroup associated with 1-year mortality (hazard ratio = 2.03, p < .001). Risk of kidney injury increased up to a flow index of 1.6 L/min/m², and kidney injury was more common among patients with flow index greater than 1.6 L/min/m² (p = .034). Those with kidney injury had higher baseline lactate levels (4.4 vs 3.1, p = .04), and Stage 3 was associated wit higher baseline creatinine (p < .001).

In our cohort, kidney injury was common and Stage 3 kidney injury was associated with worse outcomes compared to other stages. Low flow was not associated with increased risk of kidney injury. Elevated baseline lactate and creatinine among patients with acute kidney injury suggest underlying illness severity, rather than flow, may influence kidney injury risk.