Revista española de anestesiología y reanimación
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Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim · Aug 1999
Review[Continuous renal replacement therapy: management of acute renal insufficiency in critical care units].
Acute renal insufficiency is characterized by a sudden decrease in renal function. Various causes are implicated and the physiopathological mechanisms are quite complex. When kidney failure is associated with other organ or system failure, the patient is usually treated in an intensive care unit. ⋯ Such aspects of renal function as electrolyte regulation of nitrogenated products, inflammatory mediators and so forth are replaced or supplemented by various continuous modes available. In this review we discuss the functions and indications for the continuous renal replacement techniques available. The components of each technique are studied exhaustively with a view to obtaining benefit.