Intermittent Hemodialysis In Patients Research Articles

Efficacy of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy and Intermittent Hemodialysis in Patients with Renal Failure in Intensive Care Unit: A Systemic Review and Meta‐analysis

This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) in patients with renal failure in intensive care unit (ICU). Relevant studies were searched in the databases including EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE (PubMed) from inception to January 04, 2021. The inclusion of available studies and the collection of data were independently conducted by two authors after reviewing the full text. Pooled analyses of relative risk (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) were performed to compare the outcomes of renal recovery, short-term mortality, length of ICU stays, and length of in-hospital stays between the two different treatment groups. Publication bias was assessed by the funnel plot. A total of 11 RCT studies including 1740 patients with renal failure were eligible for final analysis. Among them, 894 patients (51.4%) underwent CRRT and 846 patients (48.6%) received IHD. Pooled analysis did not find significant differences in renal recovery and short-term mortality between the two groups. Interestingly, patients underwent CRRT showed significantly shorter length of ICU stay and in-hospital stay than those who underwent IHD (ICU stay: RR: -0.61, 95%CI: -1.10--0.11, P < 0.05; I2 = 93.6%; in-hospital stay: RR: -0.56, 95%CI: -1.41-0.28, P < 0.05; I2 = 97.7%). No significant publication biases were observed on the funnel plots. Compared with IHD, CRRT had similar effects on renal recovery and short-term mortality in patients with renal failure in ICU. As a promising technique in clinical practice, CRRT could significantly reduce the length of ICU stay and in-hospital stay of patients, which was of great significance for the reduction of medical costs and the long-term benefits of patients, thereby reducing the burden on society and individuals.

Short-term Outcomes Of Intermittent Hemodialysis In Patients With Ventricular Assist Devices

<h3>Introduction</h3> There is little evidence about the short-term outcomes of patients undergoing implantation of ventricular assist devices (VADs) who require initiation of chronic intermittent hemodialysis (IHD). Filling this knowledge gap may help anticipate potential complications and improve outcomes. <h3>Methods</h3> This is a chart review, retrospective study that included all patients who underwent VAD implantation followed by initiation of IHD at our center. Intermittent hemodialysis was defined as ≤6-hour sessions, 3-4 times weekly. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) did not meet this inclusion criteria. Continuous and categorical variables were expressed in means (standard deviation) and numbers (%), respectively. <h3>Results</h3> Among the 11 patients that met inclusion criteria, 6 (54.6%) were female, 6 (54.6%) were African American, 6 (54.6%) had non-ischemic cardiomyopathy, 6 were being bridged to HT, and 9 (81.8%) had chronic kidney disease. Home regimen was available for 10 patients, all of whom were taking loop diuretics, but only 7 (70%) and 3 (30%) of them had medical regimens with ACEIs or ARBs, and spironolactone, respectively. All patients received tunneled catheters, and in 2 of them AV fistulas were performed afterwards. At least 3 patients experienced asymptomatic hypotension (<60 mm Hg) during the first 10 IHD sessions, leading to finishing the session early in one of the cases. Another patient had catheter thrombosis leading to catheter exchange. No other major event was documented during the 10 initial IHD sessions. One patient started IHD outpatient without complications. Among the 10 (90.9%) patients who started IHD during index hospitalization, the length of hospital stay was 81.5 (±40.7) days, and their most relevant complications were death (1), stroke (1), infections (5), gastrointestinal bleeding (4), right ventricular failure (2), and tracheostomy (1). For those who started IHD during index hospitalization, time to first readmission was 44.6 (±36.3) days, with 4 (44.4%) patients being readmitted within 30 days, and 1 of them dying during the first readmission. Additional information is found in Table 1. <h3>Conclusions</h3> This study confirms feasibility of IHD initiation after VAD implantation, even as outpatient, but also proves a high burden of morbidity during index hospitalization and short-term follow up. Larger studies prospective studies with the newest VADs could provide valuable insight into this strategy for left ventricular and renal replacement therapies.

Comparison of the Treatment Efficacy of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy and Intermittent Hemodialysis in Patients With Acute Kidney İnjury Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

Introduction and aimAcute kidney injury (AKI) is part of the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in critically ill patients and is a common condition in intensive care units (ICUs). Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is the cornerstone of treatment for AKI in critically ill patients. This patient population has a high mortality rate despite RRT. There are two methods of RRT for patients in ICUs: intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Both CRRT and IHD similarly provide adequate metabolic control. We aimed to compare these two RRT modalities in terms of ICU stay, mortality, and laboratory recovery in these patients with high mortality.Materials and methodsA total of 120 patients with AKI who needed RRT in the ICU were included in the study (CRRT, n:40; IHD, n:80). Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS)-II scores at the time of admission to the ICU were calculated. Mean arterial pressure, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, pH, lactate, and bicarbonate levels were measured before and after dialysis. Patients were classified as living and deceased. Factors affecting the length of stay in the intensive care unit and 30-day mortality were evaluated. The variability in laboratory parameters between groups before and after dialysis was examined. The groups were compared with these parameters.ResultsSixty-one point seven percent (61.7%, n:74) of the patients were female. The mean age was 62.90±13.64 years. At the time of admission to the ICU, the patients' SAPS II score was 45.05±12.76, APACHE II score was 22.05±6.32, and SOFA score was 8.26±2.48. 66.7% (n:80) of the patients included in the study died, and the length of stay of these patients in the ICU was 12.85±10.23 days. When the groups were compared, SAPS II, APACHE II scores, and SOFA scores were significantly higher in the CRRT group than in the IHD group (p:0.038, p:0.015, p:0.027, respectively). Although the length of stay in the ICU was shorter in the CRRT group, it was not statistically significant (p:0.075). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of mortality (p: 0.891). SAPS-II, APACHE II, and SOFA score affected 30-day mortality while age, gender, and RRT modalities were not associated with mortality. The improvement in laboratory parameters between the pre and post-RRT groups was statistically more significant in the IHD group (p<0.001). It was determined that there was a statistically greater decrease in mean arterial pressure in the IHD group (p<0.001).ConclusionsIt was determined that there was no difference between the CRRT and IHD modalities applied in patients with AKI admitted to the ICU in terms of mortality and length of stay in the ICU. It was observed that both modalities improved on laboratory parameters, but the improvement was greater in the IHD group. However, it was determined that there was a statistically greater decrease in mean arterial pressure in the IHD group.

Recommendations from the EXTRIP workgroup on extracorporeal treatment for baclofen poisoning

Baclofen toxicity results from intentional self-poisoning (acute baclofen poisoning) oraccumulation of therapeutic dose in the setting of impaired kidney function. Standard care includes baclofen discontinuation, respiratory support and seizure treatment. Useof extracorporeal treatments (ECTRs) is controversial. To clarify this, a comprehensive review of the literature on the effect of ECTRs in baclofen toxicity was performed and recommendations following EXTRIP methods were formulated based on 43 studies (1 comparative cohort, 1 aggregate results cohort, 1 pharmacokinetic modeling, and 40 patient reports or series). Toxicokinetic data were available for 20 patients. Baclofen's dialyzability is limited by a high endogenous clearance and a short half-life in patients with normal kidney function. The workgroup assessed baclofen as "Moderately dialyzable" by intermittent hemodialysis for patients with normal kidney function (quality of evidence C) and "Dialyzable" for patients with impaired kidney function (quality of evidence C). Clinical data were available for 25 patients with acute baclofen poisoning and 46 patients with toxicity from therapeutic baclofen in kidney impairment. No deaths or sequelae were reported. Mortality in historical controls was rare. No benefit of ECTR was identified in patients with acute baclofen poisoning. Indirect evidence suggests a benefit of ECTR in reducing the duration of toxic encephalopathy from therapeutic baclofen in kidney impairment. These potential benefits were balanced against added costs and harms related to the insertion of a catheter, the procedure itself, and the potential of baclofen withdrawal. Thus, the EXTRIP workgroup suggests against performing ECTR in addition to standard care for acute baclofen poisoning and suggests performing ECTR in toxicity from therapeutic baclofen in kidney impairment, especially in the presence of coma requiring mechanical ventilation.

Dialysis circuit clotting in critically ill patients with COVID-19 infection

BackgroundCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection has been associated with a hypercoagulable state with increased reports of thrombotic events. Acute kidney injury requiring dialysis is common in critically ill patients and circuit clotting compromises efficacy of treatment. This study aims to analyze the circuit life and circuit clotting during continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) and intermittent hemodialysis in patients with and without COVID-19.MethodsThis is a single-center, retrospective cohort study in critically ill patients undergoing CKRT or intermittent hemodialysis between 1 February 2020 to 22 May 2020. Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) with COVID-19 infection and contemporary controls who tested negative were included. Co-primary outcomes were functional circuit life for patients on CKRT and all circuit clotting events for patients on CKRT and/or intermittent hemodialysis.ResultsSeventy CKRT circuits and 32 intermittent hemodialysis sessions for 12 COVID-19 cases and 22 CKRT circuits and 18 intermittent hemodialysis sessions for 15 controls were analyzed. CKRT circuit clotting was more common in the COVID-19 group compared to the control group (64% vs 36%, p = 0.02), despite higher anticoagulation use in the COVID-19 group (41% vs 14%, p = 0.02). Functional CKRT circuit life was similar in COVID-19 patients and controls (median 11 vs 12 h, p = 0.69). On Cox regression analysis, circuit clotting was similar with hazard ratio (HR) 1.90 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.89–4.04]; however, clotting was increased in COVID-19 patients after adjustment for anticoagulation use (HR: 3.31 [95% CI 1.49–7.33]). In patients with COVID-19, CKRT circuits with anticoagulation had a longer circuit life compared to CKRT circuits without anticoagulation (median 22 versus 7 h respectively, p < 0.001). Circuit clotting was similar in both groups undergoing intermittent hemodialysis.ConclusionDialysis clotting amongst COVID-19 patients is increased despite more anticoagulation use and the hazard for clotting is greater especially after adjusting for anticoagulation use. Circuit life was suboptimal in COVID-19 patients on circuits without anticoagulation and therefore routine use of anticoagulation amongst COVID-19 patients should be considered whenever possible.

Urea reduction ratio may be a simpler approach for measurement of adequacy of intermittent hemodialysis in acute kidney injury

BackgroundAssessment of adequacy of intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) is conventionally based upon urea kinetic models for calculation of single pool Kt/Vurea (Kt/V), with 1.2 accepted as minimum adequate clearance for thrice weekly IHD. In the Acute Renal Failure Trial Network (ATN) Study, adequacy of IHD in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) was assessed using Kt/V. However, equations for Kt/V require volume of distribution of urea, which is highly variable in AKI. Therefore, simpler methods are needed to assess adequacy of IHD in AKI. We assessed correlation of urea reduction ratio (URR) with Kt/V and determined URR thresholds corresponding to Kt/V values to determine if URR could be a simpler means to assess the delivered dose of IHD.MethodsUsing patients who received IHD for 2.5–6 h and with pre-dialysis BUN ≥20 mg/dL, we plotted URR against Kt/V. We determined URR thresholds (0.60 to 0.75) corresponding to Kt/V ≥ 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4. We generated receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for increasing URR values for each level of Kt/V to identify the corresponding thresholds of URR.ResultsThere was strong correlation between URR and Kt/V. ROC curves comparing URR with Kt/V ≥ 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4 had area under the curves (AUC) of 0.99. Sensitivity and specificity of URR ≥0.67 for corresponding values of Kt/V ≥ 1.2 were 0.769 (95% CI: 0.745 to 0.793) and 0.999 (95% CI: 0.997 to 1.000), respectively and the sensitivity and specificity of URR ≥0.67 for corresponding values of Kt/V ≥ 1.4 were 0.998 (95% CI: 0.995 to 1.000) and 0.791 (95% CI: 0.771 to 0.811), respectively.ConclusionsTargeting a URR ≥0.67 provides a simplified means of assessing adequacy of IHD in patients with AKI. Use of URR will enhance ability to assess delivery of small solute clearance and improve adherence with clinical practice guidelines in AKI.

Intermittent hemodialysis for patients with acute kidney injury (AKI): Outcome in a tertiary level hospital

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;INTRODUCTION:&lt;/strong&gt; Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the sudden loss of renal function with accumulation of nitrogenous waste compounds. In developing countries, community acquired AKI is common than AKI in hospitalized septic patients. With conservative management many patients recover renal function however few require renal support with intermittent Hemodialysis (HD). We conducted a study to find out the etiology and outcome of the patients presenting with AKI who required dialysis.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;METHODS: &lt;/strong&gt;This is a descriptive follow up study of the patients who needed renal replacement therapy in the form of HD presenting to our Nephrology unit of the hospital over a period of two years. Patients were followed up for three months post discharge. Data were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS software.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;RESULTS: &lt;/strong&gt;Total 50 patients were included in study with 67% male. The commonest etiologies were urinary tract infection (30%) and acute gastroenteritis (24%).The mean creatinine at the time of nephrology consultation, maximum level and at the time of discharge were 6.5(SD± 2.62), 7.3(SD ±2.13) and 2.2(SD ±1.75) respectively. Uremia with anuria was the most common reason for the initiation of HD in 54% cases. The mean number of intermittent HD used was 3.36. Complete recovery was seen in 68%, death in 26% and CKD in 6%.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CONCLUSION: &lt;/strong&gt;UTI followed by acute gastroenteritis are the leading cause of AKI in our tertiary level hospital. Timely initiated renal replacement therapy in the form of intermittent HD could lead to substantial renal recovery in almost three fourth of patients.&lt;/p&gt;

Intermittent Hemodialysis For Patients With Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): Outcome In A Tertiary Level Hospital

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the sudden loss of renal function with accumulation of nitrogenous waste compounds. In developing countries, community acquired AKI is common than AKI in hospitalized septic patients. With conservative management many patients recover renal function however few require renal support with intermittent Hemodialysis (HD). We conducted a study to find out the etiology and outcome of the patients presenting with AKI who required dialysis.METHODS: This is a descriptive follow up study of the patients who needed renal replacement therapy in the form of HD presenting to our Nephrology unit of the hospital over a period of two years. Patients were followed up for three months post discharge. Data were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS software.RESULTS: Total 50 patients were included in study with 67% male. The commonest etiologies were urinary tract infection (30%) and acute gastroenteritis (24%).The mean creatinine at the time of nephrology consultation, maximum level and at the time of discharge were 6.5(SD± 2.62), 7.3(SD ±2.13) and 2.2(SD ±1.75) respectively. Uremia with anuria was the most common reason for the initiation of HD in 54% cases. The mean number of intermittent HD used was 3.36. Complete recovery was seen in 68%, death in 26% and CKD in 6%.CONCLUSION: UTI followed by acute gastroenteritis are the leading cause of AKI in our tertiary level hospital. Timely initiated renal replacement therapy in the form of intermittent HD could lead to substantial renal recovery in almost three fourth of patients.

Acute kidney injury following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery

In spite of recent advances in the techniques of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), both incidence and mortality rates associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) post CPB remain high. Perioperative risk factors for the AKI include advanced age, diabetes mellitus, underlying kidney disease, and poor cardiac function. Attempts should be made to avoid or modify risk factors such as anemia, preoperative contrast exposure, and excessive hemodilution. The benefits of off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery on AKI remain equivocal. Well-controlled randomized studies are needed to further clarify the role of various pharmacologic agents such as atrial natriuretic peptides and fenoldopam on the prevention of AKI post-CABG. Continuous renal replacement therapy is preferable to intermittent hemodialysis in patients needing dialysis.

Safety analysis of intermittent hemodialysis in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices

Dialysis centers adopt a cautious approach when it comes to performing intermittent hemodialysis (HD) on patients with continuous flow (CF) left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) because of the potential for volume flux-related complications and absence of pulsatile blood pressure for monitoring. Many patients have to remain hospitalized because of the inability of the dialysis centers to accept them for outpatient dialysis. In this study, the effect of HD was observed in such patients. Between June 2009 and October 2012, 139 patients received LVADs, of which 10 patients (7%) required intermittent HD postoperatively. The mean age of the patients was 53 ± 14 years and 90% were men. A total of 281 dialysis sessions were administered amounting to 1025 hours of dialysis. The mean systolic blood pressure monitored with Doppler device was 97 ± 18 mmHg. Dialysis durations averaged 218 ± 18 minutes. Mean blood flow rate was 334 ± 38 cc/min, and 2.6 ± 1.1 L was ultrafiltrated during each session. Only 15 (5.3%) sessions were interrupted or terminated in six patients. The reasons for termination were symptomatic hypotension--6 (2.1%), asymptomatic hypotension--3 (1%), ventricular tachycardia--1 (0.36%), dialysis machine malfunction--2 (0.7%), low phosphorus--2 (0.7%), and abdominal cramps--1 (0.36%). Volume expansion was necessary on three occasions. Low-flow device alarms were registered during two (0.71%) sessions. The results showed no serious adverse effects or deaths.

Cerebral perfusion during intermittent hemodialysis in patients with acute kidney injury and advanced liver cirrhosis

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) decreases during intermittent hemodialysis (HD) in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Since cerebral hemodynamics may be impaired in liver cirrhosis (LC), this condition could aggravate cerebral hypoperfusion during HD in patients with AKI. We examined CBF during the first HD session in patients admitted for AKI, with or without LC. CBF was examined by measuring middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity (MCAmfv) with transcranial Doppler at baseline and at the end of the first 4-hour HD session in 11 patients with both AKI and LC (median age 69 years, range 40-87, 7 men). Eleven patients with AKI without LC (median age 77 years, range 69-92, 6 men) served as controls. Median net ultrafiltration volume at the end of the HD session was slightly, albeit not significantly, smaller in the patients with LC than in those without (-0.25 kg [range 0.00 to -1.50] vs. -1.00 kg [range 0.00 to -2.00], p = 0.18). At end of HD session, median MCAmfv had decreased by -5.5 cm/s (range -41.3 to 9.9) in the patients with LC, and by -4.5 cm/s (range -11.0 to -2.5) in those without LC (p = 0.79). At end of HD session, the mean MCAmfv of the 2 groups, adjusted for baseline MCAmfv and net ultrafiltration volume, was 25.7 and 21.1 cm/s in AKI patients with and without LC, respectively (difference between groups: 4.6 cm/sec; 95% confidence interval, -3.8 to +13.0). In patients with AKI, concomitant LC does not confer greater vulnerability to cerebral hypoperfusion during intermittent HD.

Cerebral blood flow decreases during intermittent hemodialysis in patients with acute kidney injury, but not in patients with end-stage renal disease

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) may decrease during intermittent hemodialysis (IHD). Patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) may be more vulnerable to cerebral hypoperfusion than patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), due to concomitant critical illness and hemodynamic instability. In this observational, prospective study, we measured mean flow velocity at the level of the middle cerebral artery by transcranial Doppler at the start, after 2 h and at the end of a hemodialysis session in 15 consecutive patients with AKI and critical illness referred to the nephrological intensive care unit of a university hospital and in 12 patients with ESRD on regular treatment thrice weekly, who served as controls. We compared end-dialysis changes from baseline in mean flow velocity between the study groups and examined the correlation between this change and that of other relevant clinical parameters. Mean flow velocity decreased significantly at end-dialysis in the patients with AKI, but not in those with ESRD (P = 0.02). This difference persisted after adjusting for baseline mean flow velocity and net ultrafiltration volume. No significant correlations were found in either group between changes in mean flow velocity and changes in mean blood pressure (AKI: r = -0.27, P = 0.34; ESRD: r = 0.15, P = 0.68), SUN (AKI: r = -0.33, P = 0.25; ESRD: r = 0.06, P = 0.85), plasma HCO(3)(-) (AKI: r = -0.52, P = 0.24; ESRD: r = -0.18, P = 0.59), hematocrit (AKI: r = 0.08, P = 0.71; ESRD: r = -0.19, P = 0.65) or arterial oxygen content (AKI: r = -0.17, P = 0.36; ESRD: r = -0.33, P = 0.43). Our data suggest that AKI patients may be more vulnerable than ESRD patients to cerebral hypoperfusion during IHD. Our findings do not support a clear-cut role of rapid changes in blood osmolarity, rheological properties or vasoreactivity of the cerebral circulation to O(2) supply in modulating CBF during hemodialysis.

Effects of ultrafiltration on systemic hemodynamics and microcirculatory perfusion in patients with end-stage kidney disease

The relationship between systemic hemodynamic parameters and microcirculatory perfusion remains unclear. This is especially apparent in the concept of fluid responsiveness, where stroke volume (SV) can fluctuate strongly without being paralleled by changes in microcirculatory perfusion. Therefore, we hypothesized that large decreases in volume status due to ultrafiltration (UF) with intermittent hemodialysis in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) would decrease systemic hemodynamics but would not affect parameters of microcirculatory perfusion.

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy for Refractory Intracranial Hypertension

Little is known about the effects of hemodialysis on the injured brain, however; concern exists over the use of intermittent hemodialysis in patients with acute brain injury (ABI) due to its hemodynamic effects and increased intracranial pressure (ICP) associated with therapy. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has become the preferred method of renal support in these patients though there is limited data to support its safety. Furthermore, exacerbations of cerebral edema have been reported. CRRT is an option for the treatment of hypervolemia and in theory may improve intracranial compliance. We report the case of a poly-trauma patient with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in which CRRT was implemented solely for refractory intracranial hypertension. A 28-year-old male was involved in a high-speed motor vehicle collision suffering a severe TBI and polytrauma. He required significant volume resuscitation. Intensive care unit course was complicated by shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, ventilator associated pneumonia, and development of intracranial hypertension (IH). Data were collected by retrospective chart review. Continuous hemofiltration was initiated for IH refractory to medical therapy. Within hours of initiation increase, ICP improved and normalized. Hemofiltration was safely discontinued after 48 h. Modified Rankin Score was 2 at 90 days. Though unproven, CRRT may be beneficial in patients with IH due to gentle removal of fluid, solutes, and inflammatory cytokines. Given the limited data on safety of CRRT in patients with ABI, we encourage further reports.

A randomized controlled trial comparing intermittent with continuous dialysis in patients with ARF

Despite the widespread use of continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute renal failure (ARF), there are few data supporting its benefits over conventional intermittent hemodialysis (IHD). We sought to analyze differences in survival between modalities in a study that compared continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD) with IHD. Eighty critically ill patients with ARF requiring dialysis were randomized after stratification by severity of illness to treatment with CVVHD or IHD. There were no differences in survival or renal recovery between groups. In patients who died, mean survival time was 10.7 +/- 11.2 days for the IHD group versus 14.3 +/- 16.1 days for the CVVHD group (P = not significant). There was greater net volume removal in the CVVHD group during 72 hours. Declines in urine output during 72 hours were similar between groups. Mean arterial pressure off and on dialysis therapy was analyzed retrospectively. There was a significant decrease in mean arterial pressure for patients on IHD therapy not seen in those on CVVHD therapy, but this did not lead to a survival advantage. Despite greater volume control, CVVHD did not lead to an improvement in survival, preservation of urine output, or renal recovery compared with IHD in patients with ARF.

CVVH versus IHD in patients with multiple organ failure

The place and role of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has recently been evaluated in comparison with intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) in patients with multiple organ failure (MOF). The emphasis is on removal of a number of inflammatory cytokines, not only correction of azotemia which can be achieved with dialysis.

Ex vivo evaluation of a Taylor-Couette flow, immobilized heparinase I device for clinical application.

Efficient and safe heparin anticoagulation has remained a problem for continuous renal replacement therapies and intermittent hemodialysis for patients with acute renal failure. To make heparin therapy safer for the patient with acute renal failure at high risk of bleeding, we have proposed regional heparinization of the circuit via an immobilized heparinase I filter. This study tested a device based on Taylor-Couette flow and simultaneous separation/reaction for efficacy and safety of heparin removal in a sheep model. Heparinase I was immobilized onto agarose beads via cyanogen bromide activation. The device, referred to as a vortex flow plasmapheretic reactor, consisted of two concentric cylinders, a priming volume of 45 ml, a microporous membrane for plasma separation, and an outer compartment where the immobilized heparinase I was fluidized separately from the blood cells. Manual white cell and platelet counts, hematocrit, total protein, and fibrinogen assays were performed. Heparin levels were indirectly measured via whole-blood recalcification times (WBRTs). The vortex flow plasmapheretic reactor maintained significantly higher heparin levels in the extracorporeal circuit than in the sheep (device inlet WBRTs were 1. 5 times the device outlet WBRTs) with no hemolysis. The reactor treatment did not effect any physiologically significant changes in complete blood cell counts, platelets, and protein levels for up to 2 hr of operation. Furthermore, gross necropsy and histopathology did not show any significant abnormalities in the kidney, liver, heart, brain, and spleen.