Recommendations for evaluation of the cardiovascular response of dialysis patients

The minimum parameters, which I have stressed in the first section, should be measured at least once a week, as should the chest films, the films of the vessels and so on, plus the chemistries, probably when determined by the investigator. If we are going to compare program to program, these intervals should, of course, be synchronized. The more sophisticated parameters, which I have mentioned, should be measured perhaps only when specific areas are to be investigated because the number of things which we think need to be measured is, indeed, enormous for any one laboratory. Now, if such studies are to be carried out by a number of investigators, the standard form mentioned should be instituted and yearly meetings of such groups should be held to compare notes, and particularly the adequacy of the data obtained and the method of obtaining it. Initially perhaps, after the program is underway, if enough groups are actively involved, the first meeting probably should be held six months after the beginning of the evaluation. I realize what we have put forth here is ambitious. I think it is probably wise to put in as many things as possible which might be important, and then with a little rethinking time, obviously some of these things can be eliminated. To my knowledge, we have covered almost everything that needs to be covered, and what we need to do now, perhaps, is to thin this out a little bit with discussion and consultation.