Soft and hard hemodiafiltration (HDF).
Soft and Hard Hemodiafiltration (HDF). A 32-month study was made to assess efficiency and clinical tolerance in a comparison between "soft" and "hard" HDF. Soft HDF was performed in 18 patients using a polyacrylonitrile AN 69 S 1.2m2 membrane and hard HDF in 12 patients using a polyacrylonitrile hollow-fibre 1.8m2 membrane. Different technical parameters were used for each of the two methods. Biochemical data registered during a single session showed the efficiency of both kinds of treatment and in this study clinical tolerance and patient well-being were significantly better than with hemodialysis. Hard HDF permits considerable shortening of treatment time.