Ultrafiltration: a rational treatment for heart failure.

Patients with late-stage congestive heart failure with significant fluid overload respond well to ultrafiltration. The response is relatively long-standing and includes enhanced responsiveness to diuretics. Ultrafiltration is simple and highly cost effective. Furthermore, it possesses many advantages over massive or drastic pharmacological therapy. In the following paper, we report our own experience and review the world literature.