Background: The aim of this study was to determine epidemiology and outcomes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and to assess if age modifies the effect of AKI on mortality. 

Methods: Using National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample Database for hospitalizations in the USA from 2003 to 2014, we identified adult patients on ECMO support. Using International Classification of Diseases 9th Revision, we assessed the rates of AKI and AKI requiring dialysis (AKI-D) among them and associated survival. We used a multivariable logistic regression to identify risk factors of and differential effect of age on mortality from AKI. 

Results: AKI was seen in 63.9% of 17,942 ECMO hospitalizations: 21.9% of those with AKI required dialysis. The percentage of those with AKI increased steadily. Mortality was higher in those with AKI, with highest in those with AKI-D (70.8% vs. 61.7%; p < 0.001). While both age and AKI were independent predictors of mortality, age was neither a risk factor for AKI nor did it modify the effect of AKI on mortality. 

Conclusions: AKI is common and is increasing among patients on ECMO support. Patients on ECMO have high mortality and AKI is an independent predictor of mortality. Though age is also an independent predictor of mortality in patients on ECMO, it is neither a predictor of AKI nor does not modify the relationship between AKI and mortality.