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What is single needle cannulation hemodialysis: is it adequate?
Shih-Han S Huang1, Sachin Shah, Benjamin K A Thomson
1Western University and London Health Sciences Centre, Department of Medicine, Nephrology Division, London, Ont., Canada.
Background:
It is important to know the relative clearances obtained when using single-needle versus double-needle cannulation techniques.
Method:
Twelve hemodialysis treatments were conducted using a machine that is capable of single-needle as well as double-needle cannulation. Single-needle and double-needle blood flow rates, as well as urea clearance, were compared.
Results:
The measured blood flow rates were 368 ± 11 ml/min, 294 ± 4 ml/min, 200 ± 0 ml/min, and 100 ± 0 ml/min during double-needle hemodialysis and were 201 ± 10.9 ml/min, 173 ± 44.9 ml/min, 103 ± 4.1 ml/min, and 45 ± 4.9 ml/min during single-needle hemodialysis. The hemodialysis urea clearances at similar blood flow rate (approximately 200 ml/min) were 167 ± 4 ml/min and 161 ± 9 ml/min (paired t test; p > 0.05), respectively.
Conclusion:
The measured blood flow rates and urea clearances during single-needle hemodialysis were approximately half of the measured blood flow rate during double-needle hemodialysis, and should be used in selected settings.
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