Hemodialysis clearance of arsenic.

We studied the clearance of arsenic by hemodialysis in two patients with acute sodium arsenite intoxication and acute renal failure. Blood arsenic concentration fell considerably with dialysis. The dialysance of arsenic ranged between 76 and 87 mL/min. Total arsenic removal by 4 h of hemodialysis exceeded its 24 hr urinary excretion while renal function was impaired. With improvement of renal function, urinary arsenic excretion increased remarkably and dialysis treatments were discontinued. Based on these result, hemodialysis is a useful adjunct in the treatment of acute arsenic poisoning with concomitant renal failure.