Thiago Gomes Romano
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) is one of the designations used for extracorporeal circuits capable of oxygenation, carbon dioxide removal and, eventually, circulatory support. Acute respiratory distress syndrome with severe hypoxemia or acidemia with high carbon dioxide levels in a scenario of low pulmonary tidal volume is its mainly indication. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and its complications such as volume overload and azotemia are common in this situation; some epidemiological studies have shown that around 78% of the patients demanding ECMO therapy develop AKI. Therefore, renal replacement therapy is required in about 50% of those cases. This papers aims to explain the concept of the ECMO circuit and the ways continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) can be instituted in critical ill patients who need ECMO.