[Use of isolated ultrafiltration in nephrotic edema resistant to diuretics]

The authors describe the use of isolated ultrafiltration (IUF) in 16 patients with massive refractory edema associated with the nephrotic syndrome of varying etiology. IUF appeared efficacious in 11 patients and permitted the reduction of the patients' body weight by 9.8 +/- 2.6 kg on the average (maximally by 23 kg) at the expense of the removal of protein-free ultrafiltrate. The removal of the protein-free liquid was not accompanied by any material changes in the electrolyte content in serum. It did not produce alterations in the circulating blood volume or subsequent reduction of diuresis, making IUF more physiological procedure as compared to massive treatment with diuretics. IUF turned out more effective in patients with the hypervolemic pattern of the nephrotic syndrome.