[Has haemofiltration a specific therapeutic effect? A co-operative study involving 20 patients (author's transl)]

In order to evaluate the effects of haemofiltration (HF) on blood pressure control, hyperparathyroidism and hypertriglyceridaemia, the relevant clinical and biological parameters were compared under haemodialysis (HD) and under haemofiltration using a substitution fluid (SF) acetate. Blood pressure control was achieved with HF in only one of 14 hypertensive patients. In 17 patients, with the same doses of Al (OH)3, plasma phosphate levels were similar under HD (63 mg/l) and HF (67 mg/l). In 3 patients, measurements of plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in the presence of increasing concentrations of SF calcium showed that a concentration of 90 mg/l was required to obtain a positive calcium balance and a decrease in PTH levels. After 6 months, PTH levels under HD and under HF were comparable. In 20 patients, there were no significant differences between HD and HF in mean plasma concentration values of total lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides. Finally, HF was better tolerated than HD in 58% of the cases and less well tolerated in 8%.