The hemodynamic state, acid-base balance and blood gases were studied in 9 acute renal failure patients during recirculation acetate- and bicarbonate dialysis. A significant hemodynamic instability, due to a decreased cardiac performance, was observed during acetate dialysis, whereas during bicarbonate dialysis, there was a stable hemodynamic state. During acetate dialysis, pO₂ dropped significantly, due to a decreasing ventilatory drive as a consequence of the significantly lower pCO₂ in acetate dialysis. From these findings, we conclude that bicarbonate dialysis should be the first choice in the treatment of acute renal failure patients.

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a serious complication of cardiovascular surgery and has a high mortality rate, especially with oliguria. It is usually caused by ischaemic injury of the kidney, resulting from inadequate perfusion. Certain risk factors which might lead to the development of ARF following open heart operations have been identified: age greater than 70 years; elevated pre-operative serum creatinine; low blood pressure during cardiopulmonary bypass; rate of haemolysis; a postoperative critical circulation. It is necessary to establish the diagnosis as soon as possible in order to institute corrective measures to prevent oliguric ARF. Once renal failure is established close control of hydration, solutes and potentially toxic metabolites is necessary. Early renal replacement therapy with proper nutritional support appears to improve survival.