Absence of a beneficial haemodynamic effect of bicarbonate versus acetate haemodialysis

The present study compares data on blood pressure and clinical tolerance, obtained consecutively in the same patients during acetate and bicarbonate haemodialysis. Twenty-one patients were followed over an equal period of acetate and bicarbonate dialysis, averaging more than 30 months per patient. Absolute and relative blood pressure changes were noted. Contrary to what often has been claimed previously, it is concluded from the present long-term study that, bicarbonate haemodialysis has no specific beneficial effect on blood pressure in stabilised chronic patients. As far as vomiting and nausea are concerned, clinical tolerance is, however, significantly better than for acetate haemodialysis.