Dialysis

Answer 1

Definition

Dialysis is a method of removing toxic substances (impurities or wastes) from the blood when the kidneys are unable to remove these substances.

Alternative Names

Artificial kidneys; Hemodialysis; Peritoneal dialysis; Renal replacement therapy

Description

WHAT IS HEMODIALYSIS?

Hemodialysis works by removing blood from the body and circulating it through special filters outside the body. The blood flows across a filter, along with solutions that help remove toxins. The blood is then returned to the body.

Hemodialysis uses special ways of accessing the blood in the blood vessels. The access can be short-term (temporary) or long-term (permanent).

Temporary access involves placing dialysis catheters (hollow tubes) into larger veins, usually in your neck, chest, or leg near the groin. They are most often used in emergency situations for short periods of time. However, catheters called tunneled catheters can be used for weeks or even months.

Permanent access is created by surgically joining an artery to a vein, usually in the arm. This vein becomes thickened over time. To perform the dialysis, blood is removed and returned through the vein. There are two methods to create this access:

• An artery and a vein are directly connected to each other. Then, over a period of months, these blood vessels form a connection called a fistula (an arteriovenous fistula, or AVF).
• A man-made bridge (arteriovenous graft, or AVG) can also be used to connect the artery and vein. An AVG can be used for dialysis within several weeks.

An AVF has a lower chance for infections than an AVG and usually lasts longer before it needs to be replaced.

During a hemodialysis session, one or two needles must be inserted into the fistula or graft.

It is important to stick to the diet and medicines the dialysis staff and your kidney specialist (nephrologist) prescribed.

WHERE TO HAVE DIALYSIS

Most often, hemodialysis takes place in a special dialysis center. Patients usually have three treatments per week, during which they must sit in a chair for 3 - 4 hours. Many people feel tired for several hours after the dialysis.

Most dialysis centers have a very busy schedule. Patients who are late may not be able to make up the time.

Because the body continues to make waste products and take on extra fluid between dialysis sessions, you must closely follow a kidney dialysis diet.

Some people can do hemodialysis at home, avoiding having to travel back and forth to a dialysis center. Home dialysis is usually done using one of two schedules:

• Shorter (2 - 3 hours) treatments done at least 5 - 7 days per week
• Longer nightly treatments done 3 - 6 nights per week while you are sleeping

Home hemodialysis treatments help keep blood pressure lower. Many patients no longer need blood pressure medicines. The longer nightly treatments do a better job of removing waste products. They are done more slowly and are therefore easier on the heart and access site (AVF or AGF).

A dialysis nurse can train patients to do home dialysis. Patients do not have to buy a machine. Supplies can be delivered. Both the patient and any caregivers must learn to:

• Handle the equipment
• Place the needle into the access site
• Monitor the machine and blood pressure during treatment
• Keep records
• Clean the machine
• Order supplies

TAKING CARE OF YOUR GRAFT OR FISTULA

Avoid all pressure on the access site. If the graft or fistula clots, you may need a new one.

• Do not allow anyone to take a blood pressure reading on the same arm with the access.
• Do not wear tight clothing around the access site or on the arm.
• Avoid placing pressure on the arm with the access while you sleep.
• Avoid placing pressure on the arm when you are lifting heavy items.
• Do not allow any blood to be drawn from the arm.
• Do not use creams or lotions over the access site.

Learn how to feel the access site for the "thrill." This indicates that the AV site is still functioning. If the thrill disappears, call your health care provider immediately.

Do not miss or skip any dialysis sessions.

Observe the access site after dialysis, watching for swelling, infection, or bleeding. Call your health care provider immediately if you have a feveror other sign of infection.

Indications

The kidneys function as filters for the blood, removing waste products. They also help:

• Manage how much water is in the body
• Maintain the balance of sodium, potassium, phosphorous, and other minerals and vitamins in the body
• Ensure that the blood pH remains between 7.35 and 7.45

Dialysis replaces some of the functions when the kidneys are no longer working. A buildup of waste products and other imbalances would lead to death if dialysis did not perform these functions.

Dialysis is started after a gradual loss of kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease. Your doctor and nurse will begin discussing dialysis with you before you need it.

Dialysis also may be used when the kidneys suddenly stop working (also called acute renal failure). On occasion, dialysis can be used to quickly remove drugs or poisons from the body.

Risks

The immediate risks include:

• A small bubble of air in the blood that travels to a blood vessel in another part of the body (air embolism)
• Bleeding from the access site
• Cramps
• Dialyzer reaction
• Electrolyteimbalance
• Infection
• Irregular heartbeat or ischemia
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Nausea and vomiting

Convalescence

See: End-stage kidney disease

References

Tolkoff-Rubin N. Treatment of irreversible renal failure. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 133.

Mitch WE. Chronic kidney disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 131.

Home Hemodialysis. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). NIH Publication No. 08-6232. February 2008. Accessed September 23, 2009.

Vascular Access for Hemodialysis. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). NIH Publication No. 08-4554. February 2008. Accessed September 23, 2009.

Answer 2

Definition

Dialysis is a treatment used when the kidneys do not work well. It removes harmful substances from the blood when the kidneys cannot.

There are different types of kidney dialysis. This article focuses on hemodialysis.

Alternative Names

Artificial kidneys; Hemodialysis; Renal replacement therapy

Description

WHAT IS HEMODIALYSIS?

Hemodialysis removes blood from the body and sends it across a special filter with solutions. The filter helps remove harmful substances. The blood is then returned to the body.

If you have hemodialysis, your health care team will need a way to get to the blood in your blood vessels. This is called access. You may need this for a little while (temporary) or for a long time (permanent).

Temporary access involves putting a hollow tube (called a catheter) into a large vein, usually in your neck, chest, or leg near the groin. This is most often done in emergency situations for short periods of time. However, some catheters can be used for weeks or even months.

Permanent access is created by surgically joining an artery to a vein, usually in the arm. There are two ways to do this:

• An artery and a vein are directly connected to each other. After a few months, they form a connection called a fistula (an arteriovenous fistula, or AVF). This type has a lower risk of infections and lasts longer.
• A human-made bridge (arteriovenous graft, or AVG) can also be used to connect the artery and vein. An AVG can be used for dialysis within several weeks.
• When you have dialysis, one or two needles are placed into the access area.

WHERE TO HAVE DIALYSIS

Hemodialysis is most often done in a special dialysis center. Patients usually have three treatments a week. It takes about 3 - 4 hours each time. Many people feel tired for several hours after the dialysis.

Sometimes, dialysis can be done at home. Home dialysis is usually done using one of two schedules:

• Shorter (2 - 3 hour) treatments done at least 5 - 7 days per week
• Longer, nightly treatments done 3 - 6 nights per week while you are sleeping

Home hemodialysis treatments help keep blood pressure lower. Many patients no longer need blood pressure medicines. Nightly treatments do a better job of removing waste products. It is done more slowly, so it's easier on the heart and access site.

A dialysis nurse can train patients to do home dialysis. Patients do not have to buy a machine. Supplies can be delivered. Both the patient and any caregivers must learn to:

• Handle the equipment
• Place the needle into the access site
• Monitor the machine and blood pressure during treatment
• Keep records
• Clean the machine
• Order supplies

TAKING CARE OF YOUR GRAFT OR FISTULA

Avoid all pressure on the access site. If the graft or fistula clots, you may need a new one.

• Do not allow anyone to take a blood pressure reading on the same arm with the access.
• Do not wear tight clothing around the access site or on the arm.
• Avoid placing pressure on the arm with the access while you sleep.
• Avoid placing pressure on the arm when you are lifting heavy items.
• Do not allow any blood to be drawn from the arm.
• Do not use creams or lotions over the access site.

Learn how to feel the access site for the "thrill." This is a sign that the site is still functioning. If the thrill disappears, call your health care provider immediately.

Do not miss or skip any dialysis sessions. Make sure you arrive on time. Many centers have busy schedules. You may not be able to make up the time if you are late.

Watch the access site for swelling, bleeding, or signs of infection. Call your health care provider immediately if you have a fever or other signs of infection.

It is important to follow a strict kidney dialysis diet.

Indications

The kidneys' main job is to remove toxins from the blood. A buildup of waste products can lead to death.

The kidneys also help:

• Manage how much water is in the body
• Maintain the balance of sodium, potassium, phosphorous, and other minerals and vitamins in the body
• Make sure the blood-acid balance is normal

Dialysis is used to treat patients with chronic kidney disease. Your doctor and nurse will begin discussing dialysis with you before you need it.

Dialysis also may be used when the kidneys suddenly stop working (also called acute renal failure).

Sometimes, hemodialysis can be used to quickly remove drugs or poisons from the body.

Risks

Risks of dialysis include:

• A small bubble of air in the blood that travels to a blood vessel in another part of the body (air embolism)
• Bleeding from the access site
• Cramps
• Electrolyteimbalance
• Infection
• Irregular heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea and vomiting

This list is not all-inclusive.

Convalescence

See: End-stage kidney disease

References

Tolkoff-Rubin N. Treatment of irreversible renal failure. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 133.

Mitch WE. Chronic kidney disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 131.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 09/21/2011

David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc; Herbert Y. Lin, MD, PHD, Nephrologist, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

Answer 3

Dialysis is a medical treatment that filters waste, excess fluid, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys are no longer able to do so. It is used to treat patients with kidney failure by regulating their electrolyte balance and removing harmful substances from the body. There are two main types of dialysis: hemodialysis, which uses a machine to filter the blood, and peritoneal dialysis, which uses the lining of the abdomen as a filter.