.
SUSTAINED LOW EFFICIENCY DAILY
DIALYSIS (SLEDD)
Dr. A G Almosewi
AKI is common in the ICU
Depending on definition of AKI, up to 50-
60% of patients in the ICU
Up to 70% of these will require RRT
Independent risk factor for mortality, 50 -
60% mortality in critically ill
Treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI) is principally
supportive -- renal replacement therapy (RRT)
indicated in patients with severe kidney injury.
Goal: optimization of fluid & electrolyte balance
Multiple modalities of RRT :
Intermittent hemodialysis (IHD),
continuous renal replacement therapies
(CRRTs)
hybrid therapies, ie sustained low-efficiency
dialysis (SLED)
PD
Least useful form of CRRT in the ICU
Inefficient solute/volume clearance if unstable or
poor intestinal blood flow
risk of peritonitis
Respiratory burden
During the last 9 years, there has been an increasing
interest in the use of Sustained Low Efficiency Daily
Dialysis (SLEDD)
SLEDD has evolved as a conceptual and technical
hybrid of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
(CRRT) and Intermittent Haemodialysis (IHD) ,
with therapeutic aims that combine the desirable
properties of each of these component modalities
a reduced rate of ultrafiltration for optimal
haemodynamic stability
low efficiency solute removal to minimise solute
disequilibrium
sustained treatment duration to maximise dialysis
dose and attainment of ultrafiltration goal
studies to date appear to be associated with
satisfactory outcomes, demonstrating that SLEDD is
a safe, effective and convenient renal replacement
therapy for patients who were considered
inappropriate for IHD.
It is able to achieve ultrafiltration goals in patients
who are hypotensive or inotrope dependent.
BACKGROUND
There are an increasing number of patients
presenting with AKI requiring Renal Replacement
Therapy (RRT) who are considered unsuitable for
standard haemodialysis . In order to avoid
unnecessary admission of these patients to critical
care for continuous renal replacement therapy,
modification of existing therapy options has been
required to enable these patients to be managed
within the renal unit.
INDICATIONS
EDD should be used for those patients with AKI
who are likely to be unsuitable for standard therapy
options . This would include
patients at risk of disequilibrium, e.g. very uraemic
patients (urea > 50mmol/l), older patients and those with
pre)existing CNS disease
those with borderline cardiovascular stability
• patients with cardio)renal failure
• very fluid overloaded/nephrotic patients
• patients requiring inotropic suppor
Advantage
Uses conventional dialysis machines
Flexibility of duration and intensity
Major advantages: flexibility, reduced costs, low or
absent anticoagulation