title: [Automatic fluid control during high-flow continuous hemofiltration: the Equaline system].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the use of an automatic fluid control system, Equaline, during high flux continuous hemofiltration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  General intensive care unit in a general hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  15 consecutive patients suffering from septic shock, hypercatabolic with acute renal failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pump driven continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (PDCVVH) with high flux was performed. All pts were intubated, under mechanical ventilation and treated with vasoactive agents for hemodynamic instability. Fluid balance was achieved with an automatic fluid control system, Equaline, on daily basis according to clinical needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Length of treatment, daily amount of ultrafiltrate and urea removal, urea and creatinine blood level before and after the treatment were registered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age was 59.1 years, SAPS 17.2. Patients were treated for an average period of 9 days obtaining a daily ultrafiltrate production of 21.4 L. In all pts, though the high catabolism (daily nitrogen production > 30 g), there was a significant decrease of urea and creatinine concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Equaline system was able to maintain intravascular volume in the face of high ultrafiltration rate avoiding clinically important discrepancies between ultrafiltrate formation and fluid replacement. We conclude that PDCVVH management is greatly improved with use of such servo-controlled feedback system.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Anestesia e Rianimazione, Ospedale San Paolo, Milano.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sicignano
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Pietri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Latis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minuto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riboni
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vesconi
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001826:Body Fluids; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006440:Hemofiltration / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
vernacular_title: Il controllo automatico dei fluidi durante emofiltrazione continua ad alti flussi: il sistema Equaline.