Abstract
Ever since the first report, 65 years ago, of a patient with acute renal failure (ARF) recovering following blood purification (BP) therapy, various methods for BP have been developed and applied in clinical settings. BP therapy has now become as important and indispensable as artificial respiratory support. However, there are numerous issues that still need to be resolved, such as the time of initiation, the mode and the dose of BP, and the materials for the hemofilter membrane. Recently, a new classification for ARF has been established and standardization of the treatment of ARF around the world has begun. The Japanese standard of therapy for ARF appears to be superior to that of the rest of the world. We must therefore construct a database by collaborative research and further detailed investigations. With such collaboration, the Japanese medical standard can come to be recognized around the world. Moreover, we can ride the wave of the standardization of treatment around the world.
