[Treatment of persistent cardiac failure by ultrafiltration]

Ultrafiltration, a method of extra renal filtering, which accomplishes an iso-osmotic removal of water an sodium from the plasma, was used in twelve patients. It is reserved for terminal persistent heart failures. In one case, it preceded a heart transplant. Simple to carry out, this technique is well tolerated when the pulmonary pressure is elevated, respecting an ultrafiltration output inferior or equal to 500 ml/h. Immediate improvement of the patients is spectacular. A new treatment failure may impose long-term ultrafiltration sessions. Failure of the medical treatment, impossibility of heart transplant, must be an indication for ultrafiltration which improves the comfort, and most likely the life expectancy of patients with persistent heart failure.