Term #2,078
hemofiltration
Claim Term
hemofiltration
Reference Case 1
DAR-2
Date Added
8/30/23
Created
8/30/23, 6:07 PM
Modified
9/18/23, 5:59 PM
Full Desc
"Hemofiltration" refers to a process, method, procedure that filters and cleanses blood (or a blood substitute such as a perfusate) by removing excess fluid, waste products, and electrolytes from the bloodstream. Hemofiltration can be considered a form of renal replacement therapy. In one embodiment of hemofiltration, the blood (or a blood substitute such as a perfusate) passes through a semipermeable membrane, which allows a fluid of water, electrolytes, and small molecules (including waste products) to pass through while retaining larger blood cells and proteins. This fluid that passes through the membrane, along with waste products and excess electrolytes, can be referred to as an ultrafiltrate or simply filtrate.
The ultrafiltrate can be collected and discarded to effectively remove excess fluid from the bloodstream/blood circuit. To prevent excessive removal of fluid and/or certain electrolytes, drugs, and/or nutrients, a replacement fluid, referred to herein as a filtrate replacement fluid (FRF) or ultrafiltrate replacement fluid (UFRF) together with, or without, drugs and/or nutrients, can be infused back into the bloodstream/blood circuit. This helps maintain a desired composition in the bloodstream/blood circuit. In hemofiltration, a portion of the blood (or a blood substitute such as a perfusate) that does not pass through the membrane and remains on the intake or input side of the membrane is referred to as a retentate. Retentate can include water, blood cells, proteins, and larger solutes. (© ChatGPT Aug. 3 Version, Modified, accessed chat.openai.com/chat Aug. 31, 2023).