The first nocturnal home haemodialysis patient in Hong Kong

We report our experience of the first use of nocturnal home haemodialysis in Hong Kong. The patient, a 40-year-old man with end-stage renal failure, was recruited into the Nocturnal Home Haemodialysis Programme at Princess Margaret Hospital in 2006. He received haemodialysis at home on alternate nights (3.5 sessions per week) for 5.5 to 6 hours per session. After 1 year of nocturnal home haemodialysis, his recombinant human erythropoietin requirement had been reduced by more than 50%. His serum phosphate level decreased by 35% and calcium phosphate product by 34%. After nocturnal home haemodialysis, his blood pressure control has been excellent and he was able to cease taking anti-hypertensive medications soon after commencing nocturnal home haemodialysis. Regression of his left ventricular hypertrophy has also been noted, with a 39% decrease in his left ventricular mass index. The haemodialysis adequacy index, weekly single-pool Kt/V, increased by 59% after switching to nocturnal home haemodialysis and his quality-of-life indices also showed significant improvement. Nocturnal home haemodialysis holds promise as an alternative dialytic therapy for patients on chronic haemodialysis in Hong Kong.