BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Heart Failure (HF) is rapidly growing up with high readmission rates, mainly due to fluid retention. Ultrafiltration (UF) is a mechanical way to remove fluids, but this strategy for outpatient congested HF patients has scarce medical experience and specifically was never done before in Israel.
OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the feasibility and safety of UF therapy in congested HF patients in out-patients clinic settings under a strict protocol of monitoring and therapy we developed.
METHODS: Between April 2013 to September 2013, we used at our outpatient clinic, UF in seven chronically congested HF patients NYHA III-IV who did not respond properly to diuretics using a total of 38 courses.
RESULTS: At average, 1982 milliliters of fluid were removed per course without significant adverse events and with patients' subjective filling improvement, that were no electrolytic disturbances at the time of procedures, creatinin level was stable, Natriuretic peptide serum level ( BNP) slightly declined from the average 1140 at beginning to 1044 after the treatment . Only two courses were interrupted prematurely due to mechanical problems ending without harm to the patients.
CONCLUSION: Given a proper professional medical supervision we took, UF therapy in outpatient setting is a safe and effective procedure and may offer another important tool in managing congested HF patients who lack the desired response to diuretics.
