Treatment of diuretic resistant cor pulmonale by continuous arteriovenous haemofiltration

Abstract

A woman with diuretic resistant cor pulmonale had 24 litres offluid removed over four days by arteriovenous haemofiltration. She was discharged one week later and has remained ambulant and independent for one year. Diuretics usually improve the disabling symptoms of fluid retention in cor pulmonale. A few patients are refractory to treatment and may need protracted hospital care. We used continuous arteriovenous haemofiltration to remove more than 24 litres of excess body water from a patient who was bedfast with oedema. Ultrafiltration led to early discharge from hospital, and the patient has remained well for a further 12 months.