Comparing low and medium intensity kidney replacement therapy for critically ill patients

Low-Intensity Versus Medium-Intensity Continuous Kidney Replacement Therapy for Critically Ill Patients (LIMIT): a Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

Phase2; Phase3 Interventional Jikei University School of Medicine · NCT06014801

This study tests whether low-intensity or medium-intensity kidney treatment is better for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury in the ICU.

Quick facts

PhasePhase2; Phase3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment400 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorJikei University School of Medicine Academic / other
Locations9 sites (Sendai, Miyagi and 8 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06014801 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness and safety of low-intensity versus medium-intensity continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. Participants will receive either low-dose hemodialysis/filtration at 12 mL/kg/hr or standard-dose at 25 mL/kg/hr. The study aims to determine which treatment intensity leads to better patient outcomes. It includes adults admitted to intensive care units who require this therapy based on specific diagnostic criteria.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who are currently admitted to an intensive care unit and diagnosed with acute kidney injury.

Not a fit: Patients who do not require continuous kidney replacement therapy or have contraindications to the treatment will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatment protocols for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury, enhancing their recovery and safety.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored various intensities of kidney replacement therapy, but this specific comparison of low versus medium intensity is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Patient who meets all of the following criteria and who has given informed consent.

1. Adults (18 years of age or older, regardless of the time since ICU admission) currently admitted to an intensive care unit\*.

   \*Includes high care units, where continuous monitoring is conducted and intensive care physicians are in charge of medical care.
2. A diagnosis of acute kidney injury is made according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) international diagnostic criteria (one of the following is met)

   * Serum creatinine increased by more than 0.3 mg/dL within 48 hours
   * Serum creatinine increased more than 1.5-fold from baseline and the increase is considered to have occurred within 7 days
   * Oliguria (\< 0.5 mL/kg/hr) lasting more than 6 hours
3. The treating intensivist believes that continuous kidney replacement therapy is necessary

Exclusion Criteria: Patient who meets any of the following exclusion criteria will be excluded.

1. Receiving chronic dialysis or scheduled for initiation of chronic dialysis
2. Undergoing any kidney replacement therapy or blood purification therapy within 48 hours
3. When kidney replacement therapy using other dialysate or replacement fluids, such as citrate dialysis, is preferred due to coexisting bleeding disorders or allergy to acetate
4. Concomitant blood purification therapy other than hemofiltration/dialysis, such as plasma exchange
5. The patient is in a very critical condition and the treating physician believes that survival for more than 24 hours is unlikely
6. Previous participation in the study
7. After receiving a full explanation of the study and with full understanding, a patient do not consent to participate in the study of their own (or their substitute decision maker's) will.
8. The principal investigator (or an investigator) thinks it to be inappropriate to participate in this study.

Where this trial is running

Sendai, Miyagi and 8 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.