Critically ill patients with acute renal failure usually present with an un
stable acid-base balance, often leading to cardiovascular complications and
multi-organ failure. Therefore, to prevent metabolic acidosis, acid-base b
alance must be normalized and maintained; these patients are primarily trea
ted with continuous hemofiltration techniques using different replacement f
luids to influence the acid-base values. Dialysate solutions can be an acet
ate-based, lactate-based, citrate-based or bicarbonate-based buffer. This a
rticle discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each type of hemofiltratio
n replacement fluid.