{"id":4911,"date":"2025-11-22T18:20:03","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T23:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/?post_type=chapter&p=4911"},"modified":"2025-12-07T23:13:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T04:13:48","slug":"4911","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/chapter\/4911\/","title":{"raw":"8p8 Dialysis in Kidney Failure: Treatment Overview","rendered":"8p8 Dialysis in Kidney Failure: Treatment Overview"},"content":{"raw":"Dialysis Overview:\u00a0 <\/strong>Used when the kidneys fail\u00a0to filter waste products<\/strong>\u00a0from the blood.\r\n

1. Hemodialysis:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • Process:<\/strong>\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • Blood is\u00a0removed<\/strong>\u00a0from the patient via a\u00a0catheter or arteriovenous shunt<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Blood is circulated\u00a0through a dialysis machine<\/strong>\u00a0containing a\u00a0semi-permeable membrane<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Dialysate<\/strong>, containing\u00a0bicarbonate buffer<\/strong>,\u00a0removes waste products<\/strong>\u00a0such as\u00a0urea, creatinine, potassium, hydrogen ions<\/strong>, and excess salts.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • After filtration,\u00a0cleaned blood<\/strong>\u00a0is returned to the patient.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Duration:<\/strong> \u00a0About\u00a03-4 hours<\/strong>\u00a0per session,\u00a03 times a week<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Complications:<\/strong>\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • Infection:<\/strong>\u00a0Can occur at access sites.\u00a0 Prophylactic antibodies are often used to prevent infection.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Blood clots:<\/strong>\u00a0May form;\u00a0heparin<\/strong>\u00a0is used as an anticoagulant.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Vascular damage:<\/strong>\u00a0Repeated access can\u00a0damage vessels<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0scar the shunt<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Advantages:<\/strong> \u00a0Can be performed at hospital or at home (with training).<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Disadvantage:<\/strong> Symptoms if too fast, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, headache, chest pain, disequilibrium syndrome (decreased level of consciousness and papilledema, possible cerebral edema)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

        2. Peritoneal Dialysis:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
          \r\n \t
        • Uses the\u00a0peritoneal membrane<\/strong>\u00a0lining the abdomen as the\u00a0filter<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t
        • Process:<\/strong>\r\n
            \r\n \t
          • A catheter is inserted into the\u00a0peritoneal cavity<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t
          • Dialysate<\/strong>\u00a0(1-3L) is infused into the cavity and remains there for a set period (~4-6hrs).<\/li>\r\n \t
          • Waste products\u00a0diffuse<\/strong>\u00a0across the peritoneal membrane into the dialysate.<\/li>\r\n \t
          • The dialysate is then\u00a0drained<\/strong>\u00a0out, carrying away wastes.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
          • Benefits:<\/strong>\u00a0 Can be done\u00a0at home<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0at work <\/strong>or while sleeping<\/strong>.\u00a0 Slower solute exchange, more comfortable.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

            3. Kidney Transplantation:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n
              \r\n \t
            • Option for end-stage renal failure.<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Provides\u00a0permanent solution<\/strong>; the person can live with\u00a0one kidney<\/strong>\u00a0(more than enough to sustain life).<\/li>\r\n \t
            • Post-transplant:<\/strong>\u00a0Patients require lifelong immunosuppressants to prevent rejection.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

              Summary:<\/strong><\/h1>\r\nDialysis options are lifesaving therapies for kidney failure, with hemodialysis being most common but requiring specialized equipment and sterile technique, and peritoneal dialysis offering more independence. Proper hygiene and anticoagulation are crucial for safety, and kidney transplantation remains the best long-term solution when feasible.","rendered":"

              Dialysis Overview:\u00a0 <\/strong>Used when the kidneys fail\u00a0to filter waste products<\/strong>\u00a0from the blood.<\/p>\n

              1. Hemodialysis:<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                \n
              • Process:<\/strong>\n
                  \n
                • Blood is\u00a0removed<\/strong>\u00a0from the patient via a\u00a0catheter or arteriovenous shunt<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                • Blood is circulated\u00a0through a dialysis machine<\/strong>\u00a0containing a\u00a0semi-permeable membrane<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                • Dialysate<\/strong>, containing\u00a0bicarbonate buffer<\/strong>,\u00a0removes waste products<\/strong>\u00a0such as\u00a0urea, creatinine, potassium, hydrogen ions<\/strong>, and excess salts.<\/li>\n
                • After filtration,\u00a0cleaned blood<\/strong>\u00a0is returned to the patient.<\/li>\n
                • Duration:<\/strong> \u00a0About\u00a03-4 hours<\/strong>\u00a0per session,\u00a03 times a week<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                • Complications:<\/strong>\n
                    \n
                  • Infection:<\/strong>\u00a0Can occur at access sites.\u00a0 Prophylactic antibodies are often used to prevent infection.<\/li>\n
                  • Blood clots:<\/strong>\u00a0May form;\u00a0heparin<\/strong>\u00a0is used as an anticoagulant.<\/li>\n
                  • Vascular damage:<\/strong>\u00a0Repeated access can\u00a0damage vessels<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0scar the shunt<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                  • Advantages:<\/strong> \u00a0Can be performed at hospital or at home (with training).<\/li>\n
                  • Disadvantage:<\/strong> Symptoms if too fast, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, headache, chest pain, disequilibrium syndrome (decreased level of consciousness and papilledema, possible cerebral edema)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    2. Peritoneal Dialysis:<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                      \n
                    • Uses the\u00a0peritoneal membrane<\/strong>\u00a0lining the abdomen as the\u00a0filter<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                    • Process:<\/strong>\n
                        \n
                      • A catheter is inserted into the\u00a0peritoneal cavity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
                      • Dialysate<\/strong>\u00a0(1-3L) is infused into the cavity and remains there for a set period (~4-6hrs).<\/li>\n
                      • Waste products\u00a0diffuse<\/strong>\u00a0across the peritoneal membrane into the dialysate.<\/li>\n
                      • The dialysate is then\u00a0drained<\/strong>\u00a0out, carrying away wastes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                      • Benefits:<\/strong>\u00a0 Can be done\u00a0at home<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0at work <\/strong>or while sleeping<\/strong>.\u00a0 Slower solute exchange, more comfortable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        3. Kidney Transplantation:<\/strong><\/h1>\n
                          \n
                        • Option for end-stage renal failure.<\/li>\n
                        • Provides\u00a0permanent solution<\/strong>; the person can live with\u00a0one kidney<\/strong>\u00a0(more than enough to sustain life).<\/li>\n
                        • Post-transplant:<\/strong>\u00a0Patients require lifelong immunosuppressants to prevent rejection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Summary:<\/strong><\/h1>\n

                          Dialysis options are lifesaving therapies for kidney failure, with hemodialysis being most common but requiring specialized equipment and sterile technique, and peritoneal dialysis offering more independence. Proper hygiene and anticoagulation are crucial for safety, and kidney transplantation remains the best long-term solution when feasible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1370,"menu_order":11,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":["zoe-soon"],"pb_section_license":"cc-by-nc-sa"},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[60],"license":[57],"class_list":["post-4911","chapter","type-chapter","status-web-only","hentry","contributor-zoe-soon","license-cc-by-nc-sa"],"part":59,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/4911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1370"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/4911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5269,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/4911\/revisions\/5269"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/59"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/4911\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=4911"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=4911"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=4911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}