The kidneys help to remove waste products and fluid from the body. When a patient is very sick, the kidneys can stop working properly. A dialysis machine can be used to do some of the work of the kidneys.
The most common dialysis used in the adult ICU is “haemodialysis”. The machine is attached to blood vessels in the neck, groin or upper chest area. Blood is filtered through the machine. Toxins and fluid can be removed. Substances in the blood can also be regulated to normal levels.
This topic was reviewed by an intensive care specialist in July 2022.