Hyperlipidemia in dialysis patients: what treatment?

Abstract

The incidence of hyperlipidemia in the dialysis population in our hospital reflects the incidence reported by other authors but we ascertained a high incidence of hypercholesterolemic patients. The importance of cardiovascular illnesses as the cause of death in patients on dialysis means taking into consideration risk factors. In our study, omega-3 fatty acids proved to be effective in about half the patients treated and did not have side effects. In a comparison of patients who underwent alternative techniques with high-flux membranes and those who underwent standard dialysis, the first group showed a virtually normal lipid profile. High-flux membranes could be a therapeutical possibility for hypertriglyceridemic patients under dialysis.