In Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), what is the correct order of connection?

In Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT), understanding the connection order is crucial for ensuring proper blood flow and filtration. The correct order places the access point closest to the pump and the return point closest to the oxygenator. This setup allows for effective management of blood flow and optimizes the efficacy of the therapy.

Having the access closest to the pump facilitates a continuous flow of blood into the circuit for filtration. This improves the efficiency of treatment as the pump actively draws blood into the system, ensuring that all required volumes are adequately processed.

Conversely, positioning the return closest to the oxygenator ensures that any oxygenation or additional treatments provided through the oxygenator occur just prior to the blood returning to the patient. This arrangement maximizes the delivery of oxygenated blood and any other therapeutic additives, enhancing the overall efficacy of CRRT.

This connection order is integral to maintaining proper circulation dynamics and ensuring patient safety during the therapy, as any misconfiguration could lead to inadequate treatment or complications.