SLED Dialysis for ICU Patients Gurugram
Prof (Dr) Debabrata Mukherjee | Critical Care Nephrology Gurugram
Senior Director – Nephrology & Renal Transplant, Medanta Gurugram
Sustained Low-Efficiency Dialysis (SLED)
SLED is a form of dialysis that combines aspects of both intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), offering a more gentle and gradual approach to dialysis.
At Medanta Gurugram, it is primarily used for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) who may not tolerate more aggressive dialysis methods.
The SLED Hybrid Edge
Duration: 6 to 12 Hours
Flow Rate: 150-250 mL/min
Stability: Superior Hemodynamics
Key Features of SLED
Advantages of SLED
- Hemodynamic Stability: Highly tolerated by critically ill patients.
- Controlled Fluid Removal: Avoids rapid changes in blood pressure.
- Resource Efficient: Less intensive infrastructure than CRRT.
- Improved Tolerance: Lower risk of arrhythmias and severe imbalances.
Indications
- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in ICU settings.
- Sepsis-related kidney dysfunction.
- Fluid Overload in heart or liver failure.
- Patients with unstable blood pressure.
Risks and Limitations
As with all renal replacement therapies, SLED requires expert monitoring for electrolyte imbalances and circuit clotting. While less efficient at rapid toxin removal than intermittent hemodialysis, it is the safer “middle ground” for critical cases.
Conclusion: SLED provides a gentler, more controlled approach for managing fluid and waste removal in critically ill patients across Gurugram and Delhi-NCR.
Prof (Dr) D Mukherjee is an alumnus of the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College, Pune where he did his MBBS & MD (Medicine). Subsequently he went on to do his DM (Nephrology) from PGIMER Chandigarh, which is the foremost training institution for nephrology in India.