Continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (CAVH) is a medical procedure used to treat individuals who have acute kidney injury or are in a state of kidney failure. It is a continuous form of renal replacement therapy that helps to remove excess fluid and waste products from the blood. CAVH involves the use of a specialized machine, known as a hemofiltration machine, which is connected to an individual's artery and vein.
During the procedure, blood is drawn from the patient's artery through a catheter, and then it passes through a filter in the hemofiltration machine. The filter allows the removal of excess fluid, waste products, and certain electrolytes from the blood. The cleaned blood is then returned to the patient's body through a venous catheter.
Continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration is different from other renal replacement therapies like hemodialysis, as it utilizes the patient's own blood pressure to drive the filtration process. This makes it suitable for patients who are unable to tolerate the fluid removal process associated with hemodialysis.
CAVH is typically performed in an intensive care setting, under the supervision of trained healthcare professionals, as it requires constant monitoring and adjustments to ensure the patient's safety and wellbeing. The duration of the procedure varies depending on the patient's condition, but it is usually performed continuously for several hours or even days.
Overall, continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration is a highly effective and life-saving procedure used for individuals with kidney dysfunction, providing them with a means to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance while their kidneys recover or as a bridge to kidney transplantation.
