[Use of bicarbonate dialysis in patients with terminal renal failure]

Six patients with terminal renal failure were subjected to a comparative assessment of the effects of acetate and bicarbonate dialyses on acid-base and gas composition of the blood as well as on the tolerance to the procedures conducted. It is shown that the cross-over of the patients to bicarbonate dialysis made it possible to appreciably reduce the number of side effects. The rate of hypotonia and muscular convulsions reduced by 50%, headache by 30%, nausea and vomiting practically disappeared. The use of the bicarbonate-containing dialysing solution prevented hypoxemia while acidosis correction was more adequate.