Is it possible to predict the length of time on continuous hemodialysis? - Critical Care Science (CCS)

TO THE EDITOR,

Acute kidney injury is a common organ dysfunction observed in intensive care units (ICUs), with a prevalence ranging from 2.5% to 92.2%, according to the population studied.^(,) It is estimated that 0.8% to 59.0% of the patients admitted to an ICU require renal replacement therapy (RRT) at some point during hospitalization.⁽⁾ Nevertheless, these patients have worse short- and long-term outcomes.⁽⁾ The main modalities of RRT used in the ICU are intermittent hemodialysis, extended hemodialysis, and continuous therapy (which can be continuous hemodialysis, continuous hemofiltration, or continuous hemodiafiltration).⁽⁾ Neurocritical issues and dysnatremias are the main formal indications for continuous therapies; however, from a practical perspective, centers that have continuous therapies available also use them in patients in need of vasoactive drugs since the fluid removal rate per hour is lower than that in intermittent therapies, generating less hemodynamic instability.⁽⁾

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