Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is a core business for the intensivist for managing acute kidney injury in critically ill patients. In addition, its importance is reflected in the curriculum and exams for intensivist, including:
1. EDIC Part I & II: These exams emphasize knowledge of organ support therapies like CRRT, including its indications, modalities, and complications.
2. DM Critical Care & FFICM: Both fellowships focus on advanced critical care practices, with CRRT being a key topic in managing multi-organ failure.
3. American Boards: Certification exams for critical care medicine in the U.S. include CRRT as part of the broader scope of renal replacement therapies.
Mastering CRRT not only prepares intensivists for exams but also equips them to provide life-saving care in real-world scenarios.
Here is a detailed view of CRRT circuit from gotheextramile
How CRRT Helps Intensivists (Clinically & Academically)
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Clinical Value:
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Manages fluid overload and electrolyte imbalance in unstable patients.
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Enables slow, controlled removal of solutes and fluids.
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Adjusts for pharmacokinetics of ICU drugs in renal failure.
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Academic/Exam Value:
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Integrates nephrology, critical care, and pharmacology.
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Demonstrates practical application of physiology (e.g., diffusion vs convection).
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Tests decision-making around initiation timing, filter clotting, and anticoagulation choices (heparin vs citrate).
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