A brief review of intradialytic hypotension with a focus on survival

Abstract

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH), a common complication of ultrafiltration during hemodialysis therapy, is associated with high mortality and morbidity. IDH, defined as a nadir systolic blood pressure of less than 90 mm Hg on more than 30% of treatments, is a relevant definition and is correlated with mortality. Risk factors for IDH include patient demographics, anti-hypertensive medication use, larger interdialytic weight gain, and dialysis prescription features as dialysate sodium, high ultrafiltration rate, and dialysate temperature. A high frequency of IDH events carries a substantial death risk. An ultrafiltration rate >10 mL/h/kg, and even more so >13 mL/h/kg, is highly predictive of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Evidence suggests that IDH causes acute reversible segmental myocardial hypoperfusion and contractile dysfunction (myocardial stunning), which can result in long-term loss of myocardial contractility, leading to premature death. IDH also has negative end-organ effects on the brain and gut, contributing to mortality through stroke, and endotoxin translocation with associated inflammation and protein-energy wasting. Given strong association of IDH and dialysis mortality, a paradigm shift to its approach is urgently needed. Randomized controlled trials are required to prospectively test drugs and monitoring devices which may reduce IDH.