Introduction Conventional hemodialysis (HD) is based on diffusive transport of solutes across a semipermeable membrane and is effective in removing water-soluble small-molecular-weight (MW) solutes and electrolytes. The removal of solutes with larger molecular sizes, such as phosphate and β 2…
Introduction Hemodialysis (HD) treatments are performed millions of times per year and offer a life-saving and life-sustaining therapy. Technological advances in the delivery of HD have occurred over the past 70 years and these have been supplemented with enhanced patient…
Introduction During intermittent hemodialysis and continuous kidney replacement therapies (CRRTs), blood is continuously flowing between the patient’s vascular access and the dialyzer. This extracorporeal circuit exposes blood to surfaces with variable degrees of thrombogenicity. Clotting of the circuit, specifically the…
Hemodialysis monitors include machines, devices, protocols, and personnel. The major goal is to ensure patient safety during the hemodialysis procedure. All tasks that check, observe, keep track of, and control the hemodialysis treatment is monitoring procedures. These important tasks are…
Introduction Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) depend on dialysis to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance. In hemodialysis, solutes diffuse between blood and dialysate such that, over the course of the procedure, plasma composition is restored toward normal values. The…
Introduction During the provision of contemporary hemodialysis, the dialysate flows through the dialysate chamber of a dialyzer, which separates the toxic substances from the bloodstream into the dialysate via diffusion. The dialysate is composed of solute electrolytes in solvent water.…
Introduction During hemodialysis (HD), solutes and water are removed through a semipermeable membrane using different separation mechanisms (diffusion, convection, adsorption, and ultrafiltration). The traditional classification scheme for dialysis membranes has been based broadly on composition and water permeability. However, advances…
Perhaps the most fundamental prescriptive question is how much dialysis is enough? On the surface, this question seems simple. However, this veneer of simplicity is misleading and belies myriad complexities and nuances. The question’s apparent simplicity stems from its bounded…
Introduction Dialysis is arguably a successful life-sustaining therapy. This unique, extracorporeal therapy has granted millions of people years of life after kidney failure. Hemodialysis (HD) is presently the most utilized form of renal replacement therapy around the globe. Even as…
Acknowledgments Some data reported in this chapter have been supplied by the USRDS. The interpretation and reporting of these data are the responsibility of the authors and in no way should be seen as an official policy or interpretation of…