Effect of increasing dialysate flow rate on achieved kt/v in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

ABSTRACT

Background: In patients suffering from End Stage Renal Disease [ESRD] life can only be sustained by renal replacement therapy, including renal transplant or dialysis, which can be peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis. Adequate dose of hemodialysis must be offered to patients for better quality of life. Hemodialysis adequacy, Kt/V, is one of the most important issues influencing the survival of patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Some patients do not achieve target Kt/V even with extended treatment time or by increasing blood flow rates. These patients have poor quality of life because of toxic effects of uremia, decreased appetite, metabolic complications of renal failure. These selected patients can be offered adequate dialysis by increasing dialysate flow rate, hence achieving adequate Kt/V, so quality of life can be improved