Dialysis is a treatment used to clean the blood and perform other functions of the kidneys when the kidneys are not functioning properly. Continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) is a type of dialysis used to care for critically ill children with acute kidney injury (a condition in which the kidneys suddenly stop performing their normal functions).

It is a temporary treatment performed in the intensive care unit for patients with acute kidney injury who are unstable and cannot tolerate hemodialysis. Dialysis is provided continuously if a child needs to be treated with CVVH. A child may be on CVVH for just a few days or up to several weeks, depending on the severity of his or her illness.

What to Expect

During continuous veno-venous hemofiltration, a machine does the usual work of the kidneys. If your child requires
CVVH, you can expect the following:

The doctor will insert a dialysis catheter (a large IV with two lines built into one) into one of the main veins of the body.
Blood will flow out of one line of the catheter and into the CVVH machine, where a filter will remove waste products and extra fluid.
In order to maintain or restore balance in the naturally occurring electrolytes in the body, the CVVH machine will send fluids and salts into the body as it returns blood to the body through the other line of the catheter.

Continuous veno-venous hemofiltration is only used until your child is stable enough to receive hemodialysis treatment or experiences the recovery of his or her kidney function.

Key Points to Remember

Continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) is a temporary treatment for patients who are critically ill, have acute kidney injury and are not stable enough to receive hemodialysis.
The CVVH machine does the work of cleaning and filtering the blood that the kidneys normally do.
The CVVH machine helps to restore balance in the electrolytes in the body.
The CVVH machine helps to remove excess fluid from the body when the kidneys are unable to make urine.

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.