Hemodialysis and pregnancy: technical aspects

Hemodialysis is the gold standard for substitution of renal function in women with chronic or acute renal insufficiency during pregnancy or during the postpartum period. Perinatal complications are frequent. Recognition of appropriate techniques in medical treatment of patients will contribute to decrease its incidence and allow better perinatal results. We undertook this study to review the techniques and medical indications of hemodialysis in pregnant and postpartum patients. This condition requires care in a high-specialty medical center. We recommend incremental increases in intensity and frequency and duration of treatments, use of equipment to manage fluctuations in blood and dialysis fluids, new filters, microdose of heparin and limiting ultrafiltration to avoid hemodynamic, electrolytic, and metabolic alterations, obstetrical hemorrhage or premature delivery. The objective is to maintain a satisfactory clinical status and maternal blood, urea, nitrogen (BUN) levels =80 mg/dl and creatinine 5-7 mg/dl for opportune fetal development and birth. Routine pharmacological treatment should continually be individually adjusted as to number of medications and dosage. Recognition of hemodialysis techniques and indications will contribute to obtaining improved perinatal results.