Hemofiltration
Hemofiltration is a renal replacement therapy that removes water and solutes by convection across a semipermeable membrane, with replacement fluid added to restore volume and electrolytes. It is used mainly in intensive care for acute kidney injury and fluid overload, especially when patients are hemodynamically unstable.
In hemofiltration, blood passes through a hollow-fiber filter; a pressure gradient forces plasma water and dissolved
Indications include acute kidney injury, refractory hyperkalemia, severe fluid overload, uremic symptoms, and toxin removal; it
Procedure: requires vascular access, typically a central venous catheter. The circuit includes a pump, hemofilter, and
Advantages and limitations: offers gentle, continuous clearance and improved hemodynamic stability but requires continuous equipment, anticoagulation,
Comparison: Hemofiltration uses convection; intermittent hemodialysis relies on diffusion. CRRT encompasses CVVH, CVVHD, and CVVHDF; the