Ammonia Intoxication Treated by Hemodialysis

Abstract

A FEW years ago, an increased concentration of ammonia in the blood was clearly demonstrated in many cases of hepatic coma.^{1 2 3} This demonstration stimulated us to investigate whether ammonia present in the blood could be removed by a Kolff type of artificial kidney and, if so, what the consequences of its removal might be. In 1955 we reported that ammonia was removed by an artificial kidney with a dialysance varying from 50 to 80 ml. per minute when blood flow was 100 ml. per minute and membrane area was 12,000 square cm.⁴ We now wish to report the application of . . .