Continuous Arteriovenous Hemofiltration

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Abstract
Continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration using small hollow-fiber hemofilters, without pumps, was used as an alternative to conventional methods of acute dialytic therapy. During a 6-mo. period, 15 patients had 17 treatments. Mean treatment duration was 98.5 .+-. 101.1 (SD) h (range, 4 to 300 h), for a total of 1673 h. Mean output/treatment was 9.5 .+-. 4.4 ml/min, which was adequate to control uremia despite a considerable protein intake. Six patients had a significant hemorrhage; all 6 had active bleeding and existing coagulopathies before beginning treatment. Continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration was a convenient and safe method for providing continuous fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance in patients with inadequate renal function. The treatment was particularly useful in patients with vascular instability or severe fluid overload.