Trace element and vitamin concentrations and losses in critically ill patients treated with continuous venovenous hemofiltration

Abstract

Objectives: To measure the blood concentrations of a number of trace elements and vitamins in critically ill patients and examine their elimination by continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH). Setting: Intensive care unit of a tertiary institution. Design: Prospective, controlled, clinical study. Patients: Eight critically ill patients requiring renal replacement therapy, nine patients requiring intensive care treatment but not requiring renal replacement therapy, and nine healthy controls. Interventions: Measurement of trace element and vitamin concentrations in blood and ultrafiltrate. Measurements and Main Results: Compared with normal volunteers, critically ill patients requiring CVVH..