| Indication | Detail |
| Fluid overload | Pulmonary oedema, fluid overload causing respiratory failure unresponsive to diuretics |
| Hyperkalaemia | K+ >6.5 mmol/L or rising rapidly, with ECG changes, not responding to medical treatment |
| Severe metabolic acidosis | pH <7.1 from AKI, particularly if causing haemodynamic compromise |
| Uraemia | Uraemic encephalopathy, pericarditis, or severe symptomatic uraemia (urea >30 mmol/L) |
| Toxin removal | Dialysable toxins: lithium, metformin, salicylates, methanol, ethylene glycol |
| Anuria | Anuria with no prospect of recovery and life-threatening complications developing |