Which statement best describes CRRT compared to intermittent hemodialysis for critically ill patients?

• A. CRRT provides continuous solute clearance with minimal hemodynamic impact
• B. CRRT clears solutes slower but with more hemodynamic instability
• C. CRRT requires less anticoagulation than intermittent
• D. CRRT is less effective at removing toxins

Answer: (A)

CRRT is designed to run continuously, delivering solute and fluid removal at a slow, steady rate. This continuous, gentle process helps maintain hemodynamic stability in critically ill patients who may not tolerate rapid shifts in volume or blood pressure. Because the therapy operates around the clock, it avoids the sudden swings in intravascular volume that intermittent dialysis can cause, making it preferable when a patient is hemodynamically unstable. While intermittent hemodialysis clears solutes quickly over a few hours and can provoke hypotension, CRRT provides ongoing clearance with minimal hemodynamic perturbation. Anticoagulation needs depend on the circuit and duration and are not inherently less with CRRT, and CRRT is not inherently less effective at toxin removal—the approach simply delivers clearance continuously rather than in rapid bursts.