Hemodiafiltration (HDF) is a renal replacement therapy that combines the principles of hemodialysis and hemofiltration to remove waste products and excess fluids from the blood of individuals with kidney failure. Like hemodialysis, HDF uses a dialysis machine to filter the blood, but it also incorporates a process of convection, which involves the movement of fluid across a semipermeable membrane due to a pressure gradient.
During HDF, blood is removed from the patient’s body and circulated through the dialysis machine, where it is filtered using a combination of diffusion and convection. In addition to removing waste products and excess fluids, HDF also removes larger molecules such as inflammatory cytokines that are not effectively removed by hemodialysis alone.
HDF is considered to be a more effective form of renal replacement therapy than hemodialysis alone, as it can lead to better outcomes in terms of cardiovascular health, survival rates, and quality of life. However, HDF is more complex and requires more specialized equipment than hemodialysis, and it may not be available at all healthcare facilities.
HDF may be recommended for individuals with end-stage renal disease who require more intensive or frequent dialysis treatments, or for those who are not responding well to conventional hemodialysis. The exact frequency and duration of HDF treatment will depend on the patient’s individual needs and medical history.