Sarthi D. answered • 05/05/20
Medical Degree with Bachelors in Education in Nutrition & Kinesiology
Dialysis has several indications, but the gist of it is to replicate the activity of healthy kidneys. Therefore, if dialysis is being considered, it can be assumed that kidneys are not doing their proper physiologic process or are otherwise being overwhelmed by some pathology. Note that these are all very serious conditions that can quickly lead to permanent damage or death, so dialysis is a very useful tool.
A quick and easy mnemonic to remember indications for dialysis is AEIOU (vowels)
A - Acidosis - usually a pH of <7.1; however, rapid changes in pH in the setting of infections or shock can be an indication as well
E- Electrolytes (frequently this is referring to Potassium elevation >6.5 mEq/L or an otherwise rapid rise from baseline that is refractory to treatment, high potassium can cause cardiac arrythmias which can be lethal)
I - Ingestion - toxins or other dialyzable substances (a few are SLIME - salicylates (usually aspirin), lithium (mood stabilizer) , isopropanol (rubbing alcohol), methanol, ethylene glycol (antifreeze))
O - Overload - usually referring to volume overload refractory to diuresis
U - Uremia - an elevation in Blood Urea Nitrogen from poor processing of proteins characterized usually by encephalopathy (mental status changes), pericarditis, bleeding, or otherwise unexplained mental changes
Hope this helps!
