Hemodialysis

saengsuriya13 / Getty Images The Need for Dialysis The relationship between kidney failure and vascular access is important. Your kidneys act as filters to remove toxins from your body and to adjust your fluid and nutrient concentration. They keep what you need in your blood while also producing urine, which contains the materials that you don't need. Peritoneal dialysis is done using a catheter (tube) and a special fluid that is inserted into the abdomen to filter waste. Hemodialysis, the far more common type of dialysis in the United States, uses a machine to filter your blood. Hemodialysis is done via vascular access, which connects your blood vessels to the machine. Vascular Access Vascular access allows blood to be drawn from your body and directly channeled into a dialysis machine, where it's cleaned of toxins and excessive fluid. Vascular access then flows the filtered blood back into the body. All three types used for hemodialysis allow for this, but there are a few basic differences among them. Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula and Graft The term arteriovenous refers to blood flowing from the artery to the vein. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to different organs. Veins are the blood vessels that carry blood from which oxygen has been consumed back to the heart. An AV fistula is typically preferred over an AV graft because it usually lasts longer, functions better, and is less likely to become infected or clot. An AV fistula requires...

Share on Pinterest Dialysis is a lifesaving treatment for people with kidney failure. When you begin dialysis, you may experience side effects such as low blood pressure, mineral imbalances, blood clots, infections, weight gain, and more. Your care team can help you manage most dialysis side effects so they don’t lead to long-term complications. In this article, we’ll explore the side effects of dialysis, including why they happen and how to alleviate them during treatment. Hemodialysis Hemodialysis uses a machine called a hemodialyzer to filter waste from the blood. Before starting hemodialysis, an access port is created somewhere on the body, such as the arm or neck. This access point is then connected to the hemodialyzer, which functions as an artificial kidney to remove the blood, clean it, and filter it back into the body. Peritoneal dialysis Peritoneal dialysis requires surgical placement of an abdominal catheter. The process uses a filtration fluid inside the abdominal cavity to filter and clean the blood. This fluid, called dialysate, is positioned inside the peritoneal cavity and directly absorbs waste from the blood as it circulates. Once the fluid has performed its job, it can be drained and discarded, and the procedure can begin again. Peritoneal dialysis can be done in your home and is sometimes performed overnight while you’re sleeping. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) Continuous renal replacement therapy, also known as hemofiltration, also uses a ...

Overview In hemodialysis, a machine filters wastes, salts and fluid from your blood when your kidneys are no longer healthy enough to do this work adequately. Hemodialysis (he-moe-die-AL-uh-sis) is one way to treat advanced kidney failure and can help you carry on an active life despite failing kidneys. With hemodialysis, you'll need to: • Follow a strict treatment schedule • Take medications regularly • Make changes in your diet Hemodialysis is a serious responsibility, but you don't have to shoulder it alone. You'll work closely with your health care team, including a kidney specialist and other professionals with experience managing hemodialysis. You may be able to do hemodialysis at home. Why it's done Your doctor will help determine when you should start hemodialysis based on several factors, including your: • Overall health • Kidney function • Signs and symptoms • Quality of life • Personal preferences You might notice signs and symptoms of kidney failure (uremia), such as nausea, vomiting, swelling or fatigue. Your doctor uses your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to measure your level of kidney function. Your eGFR is calculated using your blood creatinine test results, sex, age and other factors. A normal value varies with age. This measure of your kidney function can help to plan your treatment, including when to start hemodialysis. Hemodialysis can help your body control blood pressure and maintain the proper balance of fluid and various minerals — suc...

In-center hemodialysis—dialysis scheduled during the day, with multiple sessions per week, based on the frequency and length prescribed by your doctor. Nocturnal hemodialysis—also known as overnight dialysis, scheduled for 8-hour intervals overnight, usually around 3 times a week. Ask if your kidney dialysis center offers this option. In-center hemodialysis is performed in a kidney dialysis center, with the supervision and support of a Here are some considerations for choosing in-center hemodialysis: • You'll have the reassurance of staff-assisted treatment. • You can ask questions face-to-face whenever you're there. • All your treatments, labs and checkups will be in 1 place. • You'll be around other people receiving similar treatment.

Your blood is run through a filter that acts as an artificial kidney. The filter removes the extra fluid, chemicals, and waste from your blood. The cleaned blood is then pumped back into your body. Two needles are inserted for every treatment. The place they are inserted is called the access. A surgeon may connect two of your blood vessels to create an access. This is called a fistula. Connecting the vessels causes the vein to get larger and stronger. The dialysis needles are inserted into that vein. Another option is to connect a plastic tube between two blood vessels. This is called a graft. The needles are inserted into this artificial vein. In urgent situations, a tube, called a catheter, may be placed temporarily into a large vein in your neck. The tube has two branches, one to carry blood out of the body and the other to return it. Your physician will make a recommendation based on the condition of your veins and other considerations.