Daily Haemodialysis in “ Hypercatabolic ” Acute Renal Failure

Abstract

Eight patients with acute “ hypercatabolic ” renal failure (daily plasma-urea increment exceeding 80 mg./100 ml.) were treated by daily haemodialysis until the commencement of the established diuretic phase ; seven patients survived. The technique of haemodialysis involved a modified twin-coil Kolff dialyser, run entirely by trained nursing staff. The twin coils were reused 4 to 10 times and 74 haemodialyses were performed with only 13 twin-coil units. Repeated access to the vascular system was obtained with indwelling femoral-venous catheters kept patent between dialysis with heparin-perfusion units. We would like to thank Sister J. Oakley and the nursing staff of the renal unit. Without their intensive and enthusiastic support this form of therapy could not have been developed. In addition we wish to thank Messrs. Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd. and Messrs. Ciba Ltd. for financial support. Three of us were in receipt of full- time grants: H. S. from the Royal Free Hospital, J. P. from the British Council, and A. I. R. from the Medical Research Council. © 1964, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.