continuous venovenous hemofiltration

hemofiltration

 [he″mo-fil-tra´shun] the removal of waste products from the blood by using large amounts of ultrafiltration with reinfusion of sterile replacement fluid. See also hemoperfusion.continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration a form of therapy" >continuous renal replacement therapy consisting of hemofiltration with access" >arteriovenous access using small-volume, low-resistance filters powered by the patient's arterial pressure, without need for a mechanical pump; used as an alternative to conventional hemodialysis in patients with acute renal failure.continuous venovenous hemofiltration a process similar to continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration but using access" >venovenous access and a mechanical pump.

continuous venovenous hemofiltration

Nephrology A renal replacement therapy consisting of continuous removal of ultrafiltrate at > 5 ml/min, with fluid replacement, which ultrafilters plasma, removing small and medium-sized molecules and replacing electrolytes; CVVH is used for renal failure; it is inadequate for Pts with frank renal failure. See Hemodialysis.

con·tin·u·ous ve·no·ve·nous he·mo·fil·tra·tion

(CVVH) (kŏn-tin'yū-ŭs vē-nō-vē'nŭs hē'mō-fil-trā'shŭn) Continuous hemofiltration in which blood is pumped from a vein to the filtration unit and filtered blood is returned to the venous circulation.

hemofiltration

(he?mo-fil-tra'shun) An ultrafiltration technique to remove excess metabolic products from the blood. The technical aspects are similar to those of hemodialysis in that the blood flows from the patient to the hemofilter and is then returned.

CAUTION!

Depending on the type of filter membrane used, essential materials may be removed from the blood. It is important to replace the excess crystalloids removed.

continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration

Abbreviation: CAVH
Continuous renal replacement therapy.

continuous venovenous hemofiltration

Continuous renal replacement therapy.