ICU dialysis is a treatment method employed in intensive care units to support critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. The procedure replaces the kidneys’ filtration function when they cannot perform the filtration process.

During ICU dialysis, the equipment filters the blood, removes waste products, balances electrolytes, and regulates fluid levels. The primary goal of ICU dialysis is to maintain the body’s internal stability by managing the levels of various substances in the blood, such as urea, creatinine, potassium, sodium and other nitrogenous waste products . This prevents the accumulation of harmful waste products and maintains optimal fluid and electrolyte balance.

The procedure involves intermittent removal of waste products and excess fluids from the patient’s blood. IHD/SLED/SLEDD is often performed in sessions lasting several hours. This method allows for more efficient clearance of waste products, making it suitable for patients who can tolerate more significant fluid and electrolyte shifts.