ICU · Renal and metabolic
RRT modality selection: IHD vs CRRT vs SLED — when and why
Also known as RRT modality · Intermittent haemodialysis · Continuous renal replacement therapy · SLED · Sustained low-efficiency dialysis · Haemodialysis ICU
Choosing renal replacement therapy in the ICU — IHD versus CRRT versus SLED (Vinsonneau 2006, nine-trial meta-analysis, SLED cohort), the KDIGO dialysis-chapter recommendations (CRRT for instability and brain injury, dose 20-25 mL/kg/h, citrate, access, bicarbonate buffer), dialysis disequilibrium, timing trials (Gaudry 2016, IDEAL-ICU, STARRT-AKI, ELAIN), dose (Bellomo 2009, Palevsky 2008), citrate versus heparin (Zarbock 2020), circuit losses and liberation from RRT.
Checked against its sources on 8 Oct 2026
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Red flags
- KDIGO suggests CRRT rather than standard intermittent RRT for haemodynamic instability and acute brain injury
- Accelerated RRT start (STARRT-AKI) gave more adverse events and more RRT dependence at 90 days
- CRRT effluent dose 20-25 mL/kg/h — 40 mL/kg/h was no better
- Regional citrate: monitor post-filter ionised calcium (0.20-0.35 mmol/L) and watch for accumulation in liver dysfunction
- The circuit causes hypothermia, hypophosphataemia and amino-acid loss
Meet the patient
A 64-year-old man in septic shock on high-dose noradrenaline has oliguric AKI, rising potassium and a large positive fluid balance. The question is not whether to replace kidney function but how — and the answer turns on what his circulation will tolerate.[35]
References37ShowHide
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