An update on continuous renal replacement therapies.

Acute renal failure in the critically ill patient is associated with high mortality. Often these patients are hemodynamically unstable, require judicious fluid management, and have a variety of electrolyte abnormalities and acid/base disturbances. Therapeutic intervention is a necessity, but the patient may not tolerate an aggressive approach. Renal replacement therapies have advanced over the years to modalities that allow for improved management of the patient with acute renal failure. The content to follow will bring new promise to the treatment of acute renal failure employing continuous renal replacement therapy.