ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence of adverse events during hemodialysis treatments as a function of calories and fluid intake. METHODS: The study period was August 3-26, 1999. Hemodialysis visits were studied. Twenty-three patients receiving hemodialysis during the 2nd shift on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday were studied. A total of 166 hemodialysis patient visits were studied. Data collected included: amount of fluid and food consumed, blood pressure levels, and mannitol use during each hemodialysis treatment; and any symptoms that occurred either during or after the dialysis treatment (hypotension, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and access problems). RESULTS: Using regression analysis, calories and fluids were strong predictors of both hypotension (P =.003) and mannitol use (P =.000), but not of cramping or access problems. Patients were 3 times more likely to have hypotension if taking any fluids (P =.011). Patients consuming >200 calories were 2 times as likely to have hypotension (P =.058). Patients were 5 times more likely to use mannitol if taking any fluids (P =.005). Mannitol use increased significantly (P =.001) with those patients consuming >200 calories. CONCLUSION: Patients who ate more than 200 calories and consumed more than 200 mL of fluid during hemodialysis had an increased incident of hypotensive events and increased use of mannitol.
