a. removing the blood from the patient via a cannula in fluid communication with the patient's body, wherein the blood is removed from the patient at a non-zero flow rate less than about 400 mL/min;

b. causing the blood to enter an extracorporeal system comprising a first membrane component, a second membrane component, and a third membrane component such that the blood is placed in contact with an exterior surface of the first membrane component, the second membrane component, and the third membrane component;

c. passing a sweep gas through the first membrane component to cause gaseous carbon dioxide to transfer from the blood into the sweep gas;

d. passing a dialysate through the second membrane component to cause bicarbonate to transfer from the blood into the dialysate;

e. passing a reconditioning fluid through the third membrane component to cause ionic transfer and pH balancing between the blood and the reconditioning fluid; and

f. causing the blood to exit the extracorporeal system after the blood has passed through the extracorporeal system such that the gaseous carbon dioxide and bicarbonate are removed from the blood and the pH and ionic concentration are restored.