Bioethical issues related to continuous renal replacement therapy in intensive care patients

Objective: To examine the ethical approach of intensivists and nephrologist s to continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Design: A questionnaire. Setting: The First International Course on Critical Care Nephrology. Participants: The participants in the course (around 500). Results: Most participants think that establishing ethical criteria for man aging CRRT is a medical task, as clinicians have adequate criteria for defi ning futility. However, many responders would grant the request of starting futile CRRT or would maintain it if requested by the family. Only 55 % bel ieve that informed consent is necessary for initiating CRRT; one out of fou r would start or maintain unwanted life-saving CRRT. In case of lack of equ ipment, the majority would select the patients, excluding the worst one or on a "first-come, first-served" basis. Withholding and withdrawing are rega rded differently by most responders. Again, most think that every vital sup port should be withdrawn when futile, but practical and psychological aspec ts still influence the final decision. Responders think that ethics critica l care committees can help in the management of ethical problems in ICU. Conclusions: Our results show that several ethical questions are still unso lved and that practical and psychological aspects of the treatment process can be stronger than bioethical principles.