postdilution

Postdilution refers to a method used in hemodialysis where the dialysate is added to the extracorporeal blood circuit after the blood has passed through the dialyzer. This technique is employed to achieve a specific purified blood volume. In postdilution, the dialysate is infused into the blood line between the dialyzer and the patient. This increases the total volume of fluid returning to the patient, but the dialysis process itself has already occurred on the blood that passed through the dialyzer. The primary goal of postdilution is to ensure that the patient receives a precise amount of purified blood. It differs from predilution, where the dialysate is added before the blood enters the dialyzer, diluting the blood as it passes through. Postdilution can be achieved using various dialysis machines and is often selected based on patient-specific requirements and the desired treatment outcomes. The choice between postdilution and predilution depends on factors such as the patient's fluid status, the need for precise ultrafiltration, and the specific dialysis prescription.