Pre dialysis of blood prime in continuous hemodialysis normalizes pH and electrolytes.

In critically ill children weighing <10 kg, it is necessary to use blood as a priming solution for the extracorporeal continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) circuit before initiating CRRT to prevent hemodilution and maintain adequate oxygenation. However, blood bank blood usually contains supra-physiological electrolyte concentrations and a non-physiological acid-base balance that may exacerbate the patient's condition. The objective of this trial was to develop a simple protocol to pre-treat blood bank-derived blood to yield a more physiological blood priming solution. Expired human blood in a recirculating in vitro CRRT circuit was dialyzed prior to the initiation of CRRT using a physiological dialysate solution. Serial blood samples were assessed for electrolyte and pH content. Regimens using maximal blood flow rates (180-200 ml/min) and aggressive dialysate flow rates (33-42 ml/min) were able to correct severely hyperkalemic and acidemic blood within 7.5 min. Initially elevated blood potassium concentrations >20 mEq/l were normalized to below 5 mEq/l within 7.5 min of dialysis in all cases. Blood bank-derived blood can be "conditioned" quickly to physiological pH and electrolyte concentrations using these simple pre-dialysis regimens. Unlike some blood preparation regimens that have been published, the technique used in this trial requires no special equipment or added medications that are not already used in CRRT.