Extravascular lung water and hemofiltration during complicated cardiac surgery

Hemofiltration (HF) is an established method for treating patients with impaired renal function and excessive fluid retention. In cardiac surgery fluid accumulation during extracorporeal circulation (ECC) may contribute to postoperative organ dysfunction, leading to severe pulmonary insufficiency. In this study our experiences with hemofiltration installed in the cardiopulmonary bypass are demonstrated in patients with preoperative pulmonary edema, impaired renal function, and long-term ECC, proving its efficacy by measurement of extravascular lung water (EVLW) in the early post-bypass period. EVLW-measurement was performed using the thermal-dye technique with indocyanine green and a microprocessed lung water computer. Our data demonstrate that hemofiltration during ECC is a valuable method for controlling fluid balance. It facilitates the intra- and postoperative management of patients with end-stage renal failure or with preoperative pulmonary edema. HF seems to be helpful by decreasing the risk of complications such as fluid overload, which is demonstrated by measurement of EVLW.