Intestinal Substitution in Arteriovenous Hemofiltration - An Experimental Study on Inexpensive Long-Term Application of Continuous Arteriovenous Hemofiltration

Arteriovenous hemofiltration was first used in 1977 for the dehydration of diuretic-resistant patients [1]. For treatment of renal insufficiency by arteriovenous hemofiltration, the plasma water withdrawn from the patient has to be replaced by a potassium-free Ringer’s lactate Solution. This Solution is ordinarily fed into the venous line of the blood-carrying tubing system through a three-way valve, and is therefore administered to the patient intravenously [2]. We considered the possibility of supplying the substitution Solution intestinally. Through reabsorption of the Solution, the intestine takes over the role of the renal tubule system, supplementing the hemofilter which only performs the function of the renal glomeruli.