Prospective evaluation of an in-center daily hemodialysis program: results of two years of treatment

Abstract

Short duration daily hemodialysis (DHD) emerges as a well-tolerated alternative to standard hemodialysis (SHD). In this prospective study 5 patients in SHD were recruited to participate in an in-center DHD program. The SHD consisted of 3 sessions of 4 h each per week. Nonproportional mixture machines without an ultrafiltration control device and low flow dialyzers were used. For DHD, dialysis equipment and procedures were kept the same. Dialysis sessions, however, began at 6 p.m. (from Monday to Saturday) and lasted 2 h. Data from the last 6 months on SHD of the same patients were compared with the ones from each semester on DHD. Bone biopsy was performed at start and at the end of the 2-year study period. Hypotensive episodes, hypertensive crisis, cramps and headaches became 7-10 times less frequent in daily dialysis. A significant fractional increase ( approximately 12%) was seen in mean values for hematocrit. Predialysis urea levels as well as predialysis creatinine levels declined significantly. Also lower during the daily dialysis period were the mean values for both phosphorus and CaxP product. Significant increases were found in serum bicarbonate, albumin and in dry weight. The frequency of mean blood pressure >/=110 mm Hg on arrival for dialysis was significantly lower in every semester on daily hemodialysis. A significant twofold improvement in quality of life scoring was observed. Finally, daily hemodialysis also seemed to be beneficial to low turnover bone disease and bone aluminum deposition. These beneficial effects occurred despite of an increase in the frequency of missing days. Results from the present study which prospectively addressed the role of in-center short daily hemodialysis in the management of ESRD are encouraging.