Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy with Dr. Stuart Goldstein Part 1
Sep 2, 2024
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Dr. Stuart Goldstein, a pediatric nephrologist and professor at the University of Cincinnati, joins the discussion alongside Dr. Katherine Melink, a future PICU fellow. They delve into the fundamentals of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) and its critical role in treating acute kidney injury in children. The conversation covers the evolution of terminology from 'acute renal failure' to 'acute kidney injury,' the rationale for CRRT, and the significance of biomarkers like N-GAL for optimal patient care.
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) provides a continuous treatment option for critically ill patients, crucial for managing acute kidney injury and fluid overload effectively.
Understanding the mechanisms of ultrafiltration, diffusion, and convection in CRRT is vital for optimizing patient care and maximizing therapeutic outcomes in pediatrics.
Deep dives
Overview of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is a gentle form of dialysis suitable for critically ill patients who cannot tolerate traditional hemodialysis. It allows for continuous treatment, enabling minute-to-minute management of patient conditions over a 24-hour period. In CRRT, ultrafiltration removes excess plasma water, while diffusion and convection enhance the clearance of small solutes like urea and creatinine. These modalities are essential for addressing acute kidney injury (AKI) and help in carefully managing fluid overload and other complications in critically ill patients.
Indicators for Initiating CRRT
Key indications for initiating CRRT often involve significant fluid accumulation and acute kidney injury. The standard practice emphasizes starting CRRT when a patient demonstrates 10% to 20% volume accumulation, which is linked to an increased risk of mortality. Additionally, creatinine levels are important, but an understanding that fluid overload can dilute serum creatinine further informs the decision-making process. The integration of clinical evaluation and biomarkers like N-GAL assists in early identification of patients who may benefit from CRRT, advocating for timely initiation of therapy to improve patient outcomes.
Navigating CRRT Modalities and Their Effects
Understanding the differences between ultrafiltration, diffusion, and convection is crucial for optimizing CRRT. Ultrafiltration solely focuses on fluid removal, while diffusion and convection enhance the clearance of various solutes. The choice between these modalities may not significantly affect small-solute clearance, but convection shows promise in removing larger molecules, such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, potentially benefiting critically ill patients. In practice, utilizing a combination of diffusion and convection may yield better outcomes, and the variability in practice reflects local protocols rather than definitive superiority of one method over another.
Risks and Clinical Considerations of CRRT
The introduction of CRRT carries specific risks, including the need for catheter insertion, which can lead to complications. It is essential to balance the benefits of addressing volume overload with the possibility of 'diala trauma,' which can hinder kidney recovery if fluid is removed too swiftly. Early initiation of CRRT allows for better volume homeostasis while ensuring the patient continues to receive necessary treatments without excessive fluid restrictions. Effective communication and planning between intensivists and nephrologists can facilitate timely therapy, ultimately improving care for critically ill patients in the ICU.
Stuart Goldstein, MD is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati, where he serves as the Clark D. West Endowed Chair. He is a practicing pediatric nephrologist at Cincinnati Children’s where he also is the Director for the Center for Acute Care Nephrology and the Medical Director for the Pheresis Service. Dr Goldstein is the Founder and Principal Investigator for the Prospective Pediatric Acute Kidney Injury Research Group and has evaluated novel urinary AKI biomarkers in the pediatric critical care setting.
Dr. Katherine Melink (at time of recording) is currently finishing her residency at Cincinnati Children's Hospital where she was able to conduct research in biomarkers for the prediction of kidney injury in critically ill children (particularly in the CICU). Her exposure to CRRT under physicians like Dr. Goldstein at Cincinnati Children's has served as a motivating factor to participate in this episode! She is excited to start PICU fellowship at Boston Children's Hospital in July.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this podcast, listeners should be able to discuss:
CRRT fundamentals, including how it differs from conventional hemodialysis and the rationale for its use in critically ill pediatric patients.
Key differences in ultrafiltration, diffusion, and convection and their clinical applications in CRRT.
Patient selection and indications for CRRT (AKI, fluid overload, toxic metabolite/ingestion among others)
Key evidence guiding use of CRRT in critically ill children.
Components of a CRRT prescription and guiding principles of how to titrate therapy.
Pitfalls and complications of CRRT
Common anticoagulation strategies in CRRT
General principles guiding liberation from CRRT.
Selected references:
Sutherland et al; ADQI 26 Workgroup. Epidemiology of acute kidney injury in children Pediatr Nephrol. 2024 Mar;39(3):919-928. doi: 10.1007/s00467-023-06164-w. Epub 2023 Oct 24.
Basu et al. Derivation and validation of the renal angina index to improve the prediction of acute kidney injury in critically ill children. Kidney Int. 2014 Mar;85(3):659-67. doi: 10.1038/ki.2013.349. Epub 2013 Sep 18. PMID: 24048379;
Fuhrman et al; ADQI 26 workgroup. A proposed framework for advancing acute kidney injury risk stratification and diagnosis in children. Pediatr Nephrol. 2024 Mar;39(3):929-939. doi: 10.1007/s00467-023-06133-3. Epub
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Thank you for listening to this episode of PedsCrit. Please remember that all content during this episode is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used as medical advice. The views expressed during this episode by hosts and our guests are their own and do not reflect the official position of their institutions. If you have any comments, suggestions, or feedback-you can email us at pedscritpodcast@gmail.com. Check out http://www.pedscrit.comfor detailed show notes. And visit @critpeds on twitter and @pedscrit on instagram for real time show updates.
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