[Continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration in the therapy of acute renal insufficiency]

30 patients with acute renal failure were treated in an intensive care unit by continuous arterio-venous haemofiltration (CAVH). This procedure has less side effects as compared with intermittent haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and haemofiltration (hypotension, bio-incompatibility and lack of biochemical steady state) and CAVH is clearly superior with regard to fluid removal. In removing the uraemic toxins CAVH is more effective than peritoneal dialysis and, in most instances, satisfactory as sole renal replacement therapy in acute renal failure.