CAVH in the Combat Environment: A Case Report and Lessons Learned in Southern Afghanistan

Acute kidney injury is a common complication of both civilian and military trauma. The lack of dedicated resources restrict dialysis in the forward setting. We report a case of a combat polytrauma and renal failure, using continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration to clear uremia and remove volume, allowing for ventilator liberation and safe disposition.

The patient presented with traumatic lower extremity injuries and abdominal wounds and developed acute post-traumatic renal failure. Using available supplies, the patient was cannulated for continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration. Aggressive fluid and electrolyte management accomplished specific goals of ventilator liberation and clearance of uremia.

Over 48 h, blood urea nitrogen was reduced from 101 mg/dL to 63 mg/dL. Creatinine was reduced from 8.2 mg/dL to 4.7 mg/dL. Acute respiratory distress syndrome was improved reducing P:F (PaO2:FiO2) ratio from 142 to 210. The patient was extubated and transferred safely.

The ability to perform acute dialysis can be lifesaving. Although resource constrained, we created a dialysis system in the forward environment with a filter and universally available equipment. This represents the first described use of continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration at the NATO Role 3 hospital in Afghanistan. This technique represents another potential tool for deployed trauma teams to improve care.