Acute Blood Purification

For intensivists and nephrologists, Suzuki (nephrology, Saitama Medical U., Japan) and Hirasawa (emergency and critical care medicine, Chiba U., Japan) compile 22 articles that detail the work of researchers in Japan who have developed an innovative technique, hemodiafiltration, which uses blood purification to remove cytokines from kidneys in critically ill patients with septic shock and prevents acute organ damage and subsequent multiple organ failure. They describe the concept, indications, and technology; the technical construction of the blood purification system; and methodology, machines, devices, membranes, fluids, and other aspects. They then discuss the concept of continuous renal replacement therapy as the standard of care in critically ill patients with severe acute kidney injury. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)