Revisiting the hemodialysis dose

Semin Dial. 2006 Mar-Apr;19(2):96-101. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-139X.2006.00132.x.

Abstract

An adequate dose of hemodialysis is currently defined by the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) and European guidelines as a delivered single-pool urea Kt/V (spKt/V) of 1.2 and 1.4, respectively. Results from several studies, in particular the Hemodialysis (HEMO) study, have largely supported the legitimacy of these guidelines, although they may need to be altered or amended for certain patient subgroups. This review discusses several potential changes to current guidelines based on recent clinical outcome studies. The following questions are addressed: 1) Should the dialysis dose for low molecular weight water-soluble solutes (i.e., urea) be normalized by the body distribution volume for urea? 2) Should spKt/V or equilibrated Kt/V (eKt/V) be used for routine monitoring of the hemodialysis dose? 3) Should the dialysis dose for small solutes be dependent on gender? 4) Should the dialysis dose for middle molecules be used in clinical practice? 5) What should be the dialysis dose when using hemodialysis treatment strategies that are more frequent than thrice weekly?

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dialysis Solutions / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Models, Biological
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Renal Dialysis / methods*
  • Sex Factors
  • Urea / blood

Substances

  • Dialysis Solutions
  • Urea