[Use of continuous veno-venous high volume hemofiltration (CVVHVH) in patients with multiple organ failure. Principle and applications].

Between 1987 and 1994 in 24 patients suffering from multiple organ failure the new method of continuous high-volume veno-venous hemofiltration (HVCVVH) was performed. Compared with the usual methods of dialysis and hemofiltration the HVCVVH has proven two advantages: at first, it was possible to obtain a high blood flow through the filter powered by a pump. Secondly the fluid withdrawal from the infracardiac body region and the controlled infusion of fluid into the supracardiac veins was possible without decreasing the cardiac preload in patients with severe disorders of volume distribution. 18 of 24 treated patients had a stable circulation without need of catecholamines after the filtration. In 14 of the 24 patients the FiO2 was reduced to 0.3 and decreased during filtration. 13 patients survived the observation time of 30 days, 2 patients died during the procedure of filtration.