title: Hemofiltration: an alternative to dialysis.
abstract: Continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (CAVH) is a relatively new procedure designed to relieve fluid overload. It has proved useful in many patients whose ability to maintain fluid homeostasis is compromised. Burn victims, patients with acute renal failure, patients with pulmonary edema, and trauma patients have all received benefit from CAVH. CAVH is an extracorporeal circuit in which blood is propelled by the force of the patient's blood pressure through a filter, ultrafiltered, and returned to the patient. CAVH removes fluid and solutes more slowly than hemodialysis, eliminating the danger of rapid fluid and electrolyte shifts. There are several ways to perform the procedure but all require intense and sophisticated medical and nursing care. Strong knowledge of fluid, electrolyte, and acid/base balance, hemodynamics, and assessment skills is required. The ability to intervene quickly and appropriately if trouble arises is a necessity. The dynamics of the treatment are discussed in detail in this article. How to deliver a safe and efficient treatment, troubleshooting guidelines, and suggestions for accurate documentation are also included.
authors.affiliation: Kingsborough Community College Department of Nursing.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paradiso
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000628:therapy; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy; D006440:Hemofiltration / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000628:therapy; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000628:therapy; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy