Haemodialysis in acute renal failure.

Haemodialysis in acute renal failure differs from chronic uraemia. We describe our clinical experience comparing tolerance to dialysis and dialysis efficacy of bicarbonate haemodialysis in comparison to haemofiltration. Both provide adequate treatment for ARF, Kt/v 0.6 +/- 0.1, URR 56% in bicarbonate haemodialysis compared to Kt/v 0.4 +/- 0.06, URR 60% in haemofiltration. Clinical outcome was the same in both groups, in particular the overall survival was satisfactory at about 70%. These results are likely to reflect close control of these patients by nursing staff committed to haemodialysis in acute renal failure.