Continuous arteriovenous haemodialysis during emergency hepatic retransplantation: two case reports

Two patients with severe hepatic and renal failure underwent emergency hepatic retransplantation (2nd and 6th day after transplantation). Continuous arteriovenous haemodialysis was begun before surgery and successfully performed, without any incident, during the retransplantation with a biospal (SCU/CAVH AN 69 S) device, without pump. Vascular access was obtained with femoral catheters. Such a continuous dialysis and ultrafiltration allowed us to infuse massive amounts of blood products before and during surgery and to maintain pH, potassium and lactate at levels compatible with survival in anuric patients. Standard haemodialysis replaced CAVHD when haemodynamic stability was restored.