Continuous Hemofiltration in the Intensive Care Unit

Hemofiltration is now recognised as the optimal therapeutic solution for supplying renal function in patients with acute renal failure associated with poor hemodynamic conditions This situation is often observed in patients with severe impairment in the function of one or several other organs Since its introduction in the intensive care units in the 1970s, hemofiltration has been subject to some major improvements regarding the required material and devices such as catheters, lines, filters, or pumps This progress has been accompanied by a better knowledge of the management of patients undergoing the technique, especially concerning nutritional support, drug administration, control of body temperature, as well as fluid and electrolytes balance or cost controlMoreover, some additional beneficial effects of hemofiltration have been recently pointed out, suggesting that this technique could provide more than an already efficient renal support by removing some substances responsible for an exagger