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Hemofiltration is a medical procedure used to remove excess fluid and waste products from the blood of patients with kidney failure or other conditions that impair kidney function. It is a type of renal replacement therapy that involves passing the patient's blood through a semipermeable membrane, which allows water and small molecules to pass through while retaining larger molecules such as proteins and blood cells.
During hemofiltration, a catheter is inserted into a large vein, usually in the patient's neck, and connected to a hemofiltration machine. Blood is drawn out of the body and passed through the machine, where it is filtered through a semipermeable membrane and returned to the patient's bloodstream. The machine also controls the patient's blood pressure and electrolyte balance, and can be adjusted to remove varying amounts of fluid.
Hemofiltration is typically used as a temporary measure in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury or as a bridge to kidney transplant. It is also sometimes used as a long-term therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease who are unable to undergo other forms of renal replacement therapy, such as hemodialysis.
Hemofiltration can be associated with some risks and complications, such as blood clots, infections, electrolyte imbalances, and cardiovascular instability. Close monitoring by a healthcare professional is required during the procedure.