Kidney Failure (cont.)
Hemodialysis
Hemodialysis uses a machine filter called a dialyzer or artificial kidney to
remove excess water and salt, to balance the other electrolytes in the body, and
to remove waste products of metabolism. Blood flows through tubing into the
machine, where it passes next to a filter membrane. A specialized chemical
solution (dialysate) flows on the other side of the membrane. The dialysate is
formulated to draw impurities from the blood through the filter membrane. Blood
and dialysate never touch in the artificial kidney machine.
For this type of dialysis, access to the blood vessels needs to be surgically
created so that large amounts of blood can flow into the machine and back to the
body. Surgeons can build a fistula, a connection between a large artery and vein
in the body, usually in the arm, that causes a large amount of blood flow into
the vein. This makes the vein larger and its walls thicker so that it can
tolerate repeated needle sticks to attach tubing from the body to the machine.
Since it takes many weeks for a fistula to mature enough to be used, significant
planning is required if hemodialysis is to be considered as an option.
If the kidney failure happens acutely and there is no time to build a
fistula, special catheters may be inserted into the larger blood vessels of the
arm, leg, or chest. These catheters may be left in place for up to three weeks. In
some diseases, the need for dialysis will be temporary, but if the expectation
is that dialysis will continue for a prolonged period of time, these catheters
act as a bridge until a fistula can be planned, placed, and matured.
Dialysis treatments normally occur three times a week and last a few hours at
a time. Most commonly, patients travel to an outpatient center to have dialysis,
but home dialysis therapy is becoming an option for some.
Next: Peritoneal dialysis »
- Calcium Channel Blockers - Establishes the medication calcium channel blockers (CCBs), which are drugs used for treating high blood pressure, angina, and abnormal heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation.
- Creatinine Blood Test - Learn more about the creatinine blood test, a test that measures kidney function. Abnormal creatinine levels in the blood may indicate kidney disease.
- Low Blood Pressure - Learn about low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure is blood pressure below normal and symptoms may include: lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). There are many causes of low blood pressure, and treatment is dependant upon the cause.
Latest Medical News
Digestion RSS