Fluid removal by haemofiltration in diuretic resistant cardiac failure.

A 60 year old woman with diuretic resistant cardiac failure was treated with intermittent haemofiltration before tricuspid valve replacement. This technique can remove large quantities of fluid rapidly, thus controlling oedema and allow appropriate fluid replacement. Haemofiltration is thus a simple and safe method of managing unresponsive oedema in cardiac failure sometimes allowing corrective cardiac surgery.