| [ Summary ] |
Long, slow hemodialysis (3x8 hours / week) continues to be used in Tassin. It provides excellent results for the close control of blood pressure and has a long-term survival rate of, 75-85 % at 10 years of dialysis.
3x6 hours / week of hemodialysis continues to be used at our unit because we understand the importance of long dialysis sessions to obtain adequate results. Also, to achieve correct nutrition, the diets of our patients are almost free of restrictions except for potassium, sodium and water intake. We followed the definition of adequacy of dialysis by Dr. Scribner, (1) Adequate control of blood pressure, (2) Adequacy of dialysis, (3) Adequate intake of protein. Cardiac function has improved and hypertension is better controlled without the need for antihypertensive drugs than shown in the JSDT report on 6 hour hemodialysis. Mortality rates are also better than usually reported for shorter dialysis. |