therapyhemodialysis

Therapy hemodialysis, commonly called hemodialysis, is a renal replacement therapy used to treat kidney failure by removing waste products and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform these tasks.

In conventional hemodialysis, blood is circulated from the patient through a dialyzer, an artificial kidney containing a semipermeable membrane. Dialysate flows on the opposite side of the membrane, allowing diffusion and convection to remove waste products such as urea and creatinine and to remove excess fluid. The cleaned blood is then returned to the body.

Vascular access is essential. The preferred long-term access is an arteriovenous fistula or graft, which connects a patient’s artery to a vein. Central venous catheters may be used when rapid access is needed or when other options are not suitable. Catheters carry higher risks of infection and clotting.

Most adults undergo three sessions per week, each lasting about three to five hours, in a dialysis center. Home hemodialysis is also possible for eligible patients and can involve more frequent or longer treatment periods, including nocturnal schedules, with appropriate training and equipment.

Outcomes and risks: Hemodialysis can extend life and relieve symptoms of kidney failure, but it does not cure the condition. Potential complications include low blood pressure, muscle cramps, fatigue, access-related infections, and electrolyte disturbances. Adequacy of dialysis is monitored by measures such as dialysis dose and fluid management.

Alternatives and adjuncts include peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation, combined with dietary management and medications to control blood pressure, anemia, and mineral balance.