A case of hypothermia on CRRT

A 64-year-old Asian man, with past medical history of hypertension, hypothyroidism, and hyperlipidemia, presented with 3 days history of fever associated with cough and worsening shortness of breath. Subsequent clinical course was complicated by acute lung injury leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring positive pressure ventilation, septic shock requiring inotropic support, and acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). On day 3 of CRRT, the patient developed significant hypothermia (temporal temperature 27.5°C), which was successfully managed. Continuous renal replacement therapy was subsequently discontinued as renal function recovered and the patient was discharged home after a prolonged hospital stay. He currently remains off dialysis and is being followed as an outpatient for chronic kidney disease. In this article, we examine various aspects of pathophysiology and management of hypothermia on CRRT and review relevant literature in this field.