Long-term follow up in chronic hemofiltration.

The course of treatment is demonstrated in 72 patients with chronic renal insufficiency who were undergoing regular hemofiltration for more than 6 months. 29 patients were treated for more than 5 years and 8 for more than 6 years with hemofiltration exclusively, total experience comprising 2,985 patient months. Thus, 16% of all patients accepted for artificial kidney treatment were selected for this form of therapy. Main reasons for transfer from hemodialysis to hemofiltration were hypotension, hypertension and/or repeated episodes of overhydration. In 12 patients with severe drug- and dialysis-resistant hypertension, blood pressure was normalized within 6 weeks after transfer to hemofiltration. Whereas some parameters of lipid and bone metabolism showed a tendency towards normalization, a favourable effect of hemofiltration on neuropathy was not observed. Main causes of death were encephalomalacia and cardiac infarction. Contraindications for post-dilution hemofiltration are vascular access problems resulting in a reduced blood flow and severe catabolism with accumulation of low molecular protein metabolites or potassium.