| Theme |
Diversity of hemodialysis therapies |
| Title |
Short-daily hemodialysis |
| Author |
Toshihiro Nakano |
Department of Medicine, Kidney Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University |
| Author |
Naoki Kimata |
Department of Blood Purifi cation, Kidney Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University |
| Author |
Michio Mineshima |
Department of Clinical Engineering, Tokyo Women's Medical University |
| [ Summary ] |
Presently, most dialysis patients in Japan undergo dialysis three times weekly, with treatments lasting four hours. Therefore, we must ask why is conventional hemodialysis the most common therapy. Dialysis styles are varied, so it is important to compare individual treatment options. A number of studies of outcomes from short-daily hemodialysis have indicated that patients' survival rates are better with this treatment than with conventional hemodialysis. In addition, frequent hemodialysis improves cardiovascular conditions and electrolyte balance. However, its effects on survival rates remain unclear. The most significant factors are not only the consideration of physiological problems associated with removal of solutes, or adjustment of extracellular fluids, but also the consideration of quality of patients' lives and social support for problems associated with dialysis. Recently, the advantages of short-daily hemodialysis have been reported. We must carefully determine the positive and negative aspects of this treatment. In conclusion, we must develop incentives to maximize implementation of short-daily hemodialysis. |