Ultrafiltration does not affect certain predictors of outcome in heart failure.

Ultrafiltration as a therapeutic option for heart failure has been of more recent interest due to a proposed physiologic basis for its mechanism of action and the development of newer technology. Several studies have so far demonstrated its efficacy in rapid removal of fluid and improvement in congestive symptoms. However, there is currently no data on its impact on long-term outcomes of patients with heart failure. Moreover, evidence extracted from available studies does not support any beneficial impact on established predictors of mortality in this setting (i.e. blood urea nitrogen and serum sodium levels). This observation coupled with previous data indicating lack of expected beneficial effect on renal function highlights the emergent need for robust long-term outcome studies prior to expansion of the implementation of this complicated and costly therapy.
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