Indications for hemodialysis in patients with AKI (acute kidney injury)

The indications for hemodialysis in patients with acute kidney injury can be grossly summed up with the mnemonic “AEIOU”:

• A for acidemia from metabolic acidosis, if correction with sodium bicarbonate is not easy
• E for electrolyte abnormality, such as severe hyperkalemia
• I for intoxication with a dialyzable substance*
• O for overload of fluid that cannot be treated with diuretics
• U for uremia with complications**

* SLIME: salicylic acid, lithium, isopropanol, magnesium laxatives, and ethylene glycol
** Pericarditis, encephalopathy, or gastrointestinal bleeding