Clinical benefit and approach of ultrafiltration in acute heart failure

Because of the increasing incidence of acute heart failure admissions to critical care units, nephrologists have been asked to become more involved in the management of these patients. Renal dysfunction is a major element in impeding clinical recovery. In acute heart failure, renal function is often abnormal. The judicious application of ultrafiltration techniques may represent an efficacious adjunct to present conventional practice. In patients with refractory congestive heart failure, the ability to provide continuous, daily, large volume removal not only improves volume status but also the clinical symptoms of the decompensated patient. A thorough literature review supports the premise that starting hemofiltration is an appropriate alternative for difficult and unstable cardiac patients. An optimal strategy utilizing continuous renal replacement therapy can dramatically improve the patient's clinical condition, mitigate the neurohumoral stimulation, increase urinary output and promote absorption of excessive extravascular fluid.