Hemodiafiltration reduces mortality and prevents comorbidities? Technical innovations to improve hemodynamics and efficacy. [L'emodiafiltrazione riduce la mortalita' e previene le comorbidita'? Innovazioni tecniche per migliorare emodinamica ed efficacia.]

Hemodiafiltration (HDF) is a dialysis technique characterized by the combination of diffusive and convective depuration. This allows the removal of both low and medium-high molecular weight toxins, keeping the intradialytic hemodynamic status of the patient more stable. Technical innovations in HDF technology aim to enhance the depurative efficacy of the treatment and reduce intradialytic hypotensive events and intolerance. Among these techniques, mixed HDF, middilution HDF and HFR Aequilibrium have particular innovative significance. Mixed HDF and mid-dilution HDF are clinically indicated to enhance the depurative efficacy of HDF and HFR Aequilibrium may serve to widen the depurative range in patients suffering from the malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome and intradialytic hypotension or intolerance. Mixed HDF and mid-dilution HDF allow to improve the infusion volumes thanks to the intradialytic modulation of the pre/post-infusion ratio (mixed HDF) or the high-volume intradialyzer pre/postinfusion (mid-dilution HDF). HFR Aequilibrium is based on a) separation between convection (first chamber) and diffusion with body weight decrease (second chamber); b) infusion of endogenous ultrafiltrate purified by resin adsorption; c) use of dialysate sodium and ultrafiltration profiles automatically elaborated by a mathematical model incorporated in the software of the dialysis machine.