[Isolated ultrafiltration in refractory cardiac insufficiency]

The efficiency of isolated ultrafiltration was demonstrated in 101 patients with refractory heart failure developing in the presence of myocardial abnormalities. Catheterization of major (femoral or subclavian) veins is shown to be the optimum vascular access for isolated ultrafiltration; patient's blood can be returned through the needle catheter placed into the cubital vein. To prevent possible complications of isolated ultrafiltration, packed cell volume, central venous pressure and end diastolic pressure in the pulmonary artery should be monitored.