ACUTE RENAL INSUFFICIENCY:  A Comparison of the Use of an Artificial Kidney, Peritoneal Lavage and More Conservative Measures in Its Management

THE OCCURRENCE of acute oliguria or anuria as a complication of incompatible blood transfusions, after prolonged arterial hypotension or following intoxication with sulfanilamide derivatives, mercuric chloride and other compounds and the recognition that the resultant renal insufficiency may be temporary has stimulated interest in the use of an artificial kidney or peritoneal lavage in the treatment of such a condition. The reports in the current scientific literature, as well as in the lay press, describing the use of these measures give an erroneous impression of their wide field of usefulness as well as of the success attributed to their application. Our investigations on the use of the artificial kidney during the past year have demonstrated many inherent dangers which previous investigators have failed to note. We have also treated successfully patients in acute renal failure by the simpler and safer procedures to be discussed later.

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE