Simultaneous hemofiltration/hemodialysis (HF/HD): short- and long-term tolerance. Introduction of a system for automatic fluid replacement

Abstract

Data are presented concerning our experiences with simultaneous hemofiltration and hemodialysis (HF/HD) in uremic patients. Ten randomly selected patients have been treated for two and a half to three years with either conventional hemodialysis (HD, 3 x 4 hours/week, 1.4 m2 surface area Cuprophan dialyzer) or HF/HD (RP-6, 3 x 3 hours/week). No differences could be detected with regard to the blood chemistry or the blood pressure between the two groups of patients. During HF/HD the well-being of the patients was better than during HD, which can be attributed to a greater stability of the blood pressure and of the serum osmolarity and to a decrease of the intraocular pressure during treatment. An apparatus is described which is in use enabling the automatic replacement of the required substitution fluid. With regard to the performance and the tolerance, HF/HD is comparable to hemofiltration, but the treatment sessions are shorter.