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Published on: October 2, 2020
Dialysate sodium and intradialytic hypotension
Wael F Hussein1, Brigitte Schiller2
1Nephrology Department, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Insights
Dialysate sodium concentration impacts hemodialysis complications. Tailoring dialysate sodium to patient status can optimize treatment and reduce intradialytic hypotension (IDH) and associated risks.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Dialysis Technology
Background:
- Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a frequent complication in hemodialysis, linked to high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- High intradialytic weight gain (IDWG) and ultrafiltration rates (UFR) are associated with increased IDH, complicating standard dialysis sessions.
- Dialysate sodium concentration plays a critical role in fluid balance and hemodynamic stability during dialysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on fixed and profiled dialysate sodium prescriptions.
- To evaluate the impact of dialysate sodium concentration on intradialytic hypotension, weight gain, and ultrafiltration rates.
- To propose a tailored approach for optimizing dialysate sodium prescription in hemodialysis patients.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating fixed and profiled dialysate sodium concentrations.
- Analysis of the relationship between dialysate sodium, intradialytic weight gain, ultrafiltration rates, and intradialytic hypotension.
- Synthesis of evidence to support a patient-centered approach to dialysate sodium prescription.
Main Results:
- Lower dialysate sodium concentrations may help control IDWG, UFR, and hypertension, potentially reducing IDH.
- Higher dialysate sodium concentrations can offer hemodynamic benefits for unstable patients but may lead to increased IDWG and subsequent complications.
- A fixed dialysate sodium prescription may not be optimal for all patients, highlighting the need for individualized strategies.
Conclusions:
- Dialysate sodium prescription requires careful consideration of individual patient factors to mitigate risks associated with intradialytic hypotension.
- A tailored approach, balancing hemodynamic stability with fluid management, is recommended for optimizing hemodialysis delivery.
- Further research into personalized dialysate sodium profiling could improve patient outcomes and reduce cardiovascular complications.
Abstract:
Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a common complication in hemodialysis, particularly with the time and frequency constraints of standard session delivery in contemporary practice. High intradialytic weight gain (IDWG), high ultrafiltration rates (UFR), and frequent IDH are highly interlinked, and separately or together contribute to the high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality observed in the hemodialysis population. Using a lower concentration of sodium in the dialysate (D-Na) reduces sodium delivery to the patient during dialysis, and several studies reported the beneficial effect in controlling IDWG, UFR, and hypertension. On the other hand, high dialysate sodium is associated with more hemodynamic benefits in an unstable patient. The resulting sodium loading may, however, induce a vicious cycle of higher IDWG, requiring more rapid ultrafiltration, eventually contributing to intradialytic symptoms and hypotension. In this article, we review the available literature on fixed and profiled dialysate sodium prescriptions, and we recommend a tailored approach that considers the patient's status to optimize dialysis delivery.
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