| [ Summary ] |
Most hemodialysis patients are treated for four hours per session and three times a week. However, this hemodialysis modality is sometimes inferior to longer treatment modalities. Some patients（for example elderly patients or patients with heart disease）should be treated for periods exceeding four hours. This slower treatment patients with fewer complications, and the potential for reduced drugs use. In order to reduce complications due to four hour dialysis treatments and to improve quality of life, patients should be treated with longer hemodialysis periods. Therefore, we would like to suggest that longer hemodialysis periods, such as overnight hemodialysis or home hemodialysis, may solve therapy related problems. It is vital that doctors and co-medical staff members recognize these factors. |