Association between Renal Failure and Mannitol among Patients Who Have Acute Cerebral Infarction with Cerebral Edema

Background Renal failure is one of the most common side effects of mannitol. However, very little is known regarding the cause, incidence, risk factors, and outcome of mannitol-induced renal failure. The goal of this study is to determine the predicting factors of mannitol-induced renal failure. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all ischemic stroke patients who were treated with mannitol due to brain edema from January 2008 to December 2010 at Chosun university hospital. From among 125 patients, 25 patients who received mannitol for less than 3 days were excluded and 100 patients were selected. Furthermore, 15% or 25% mannitol was administered intravenously as an intermittent bolus and the maximum dose was less than 200 g/day. Renal failure was defined as an increase in the creatinine level of > 0.5 mg/dL if the baseline value was < 2 mg/dL or an increase in the creatinine level of > 1 mg/dL if the baseline value was > 2 mg/dL. Results Fourteen patients (14%) were diagnosed as having mannitol-induced renal failure. Glucose level before the use of mannitol and peak osmolality during mannitol treatment were associated with renal failure in univariate analysis. In logistic regression analysis of suspected factors (P