The physiology of the kidney has long been understood, and its mechanisms are well
described. The pathology of renal failure is also a deeply researched area. It seems
logical, therefore, to create devices that can replace the lost normal function of
the kidney. Using the physical processes that take place in the kidney, such as diffusion
or convection across a membrane, various renal replacement therapies (RRT) have been
created. There are those that are used intermittently and those that are used for
longer periods. What they have in common is that all RRTs have the same purpose; to
replace the excretory function of the kidney that has been lost. CRRT is an extracorporeal
renal replacement therapy that effectively replicates the excretory function of the
kidneys in cases of acute renal failure. However, it has become increasingly evident
that this rapidly advancing treatment modality offers benefits beyond merely substituting
kidney function, with its applications continuing to expand significantly with non-renal
and other indications. The use of these devices has raised new questions, many of
which are still not clearly answered. When should this start? Who should receive it?
How long should it last? What indication should it be for? What modality should it
be with? How does it change the pharmacokinetics of the medicines? To answer these
questions, it is first worth understanding the mechanisms behind the processes and
the factors that influence them. This should not only focus on the procedures used
in RRT therapies, but also consider the patient’s condition and the physicochemical
properties of the drugs. In this review, we aim to provide a literature summary to
highlight the factors that may influence the success of RRT therapies.
