This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Haemodialysis vs haemofiltration

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Haemodialysis removes solutes by diffusion. As such, it is relatively inefficient for solutes of high molecular weight as clearance by diffusion is inversely related to the molecular weight of the solute.

Haemofiltration removes solutes by convection. As such, efficiency remains more constant for all solutes able to cross the semi-permeable membrane.

The choice between haemodialysis and haemofiltration can be difficult. Points in favour of haemofiltration include:

  • better control of blood pressure
  • less risk of hyperlipidaemia

Those in favour of haemodialysis:

  • less expensive
  • technically easier
  • toxicity of molecules of high molecular weight has yet to be demonstrated
  • haemofiltration can only reduce, not normalise, the concentration of larger solutes

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.