[Recent advances and prospects in periodic hemodialytic treatment for patients with uremia]

Following a brief outline of the history of haemodialytic technique, the most relevant recent progress is illustrated. Advances include the success of the internal artero-venous fistula for access to the vessels, of "less than" single "greater than" haemodialytic units, of three-times-a-week dialysis, and the creation of new disposable dialyzers of high efficiency and low priming volume. Some of the problems posed by the patient in periodic haemodialysis are then examined (the problem involved in the risk of hepatitis, that of persistent severe anemia even after haemodialysis has been begun and that of osteopathy) and the most suitable measures for preventing or limiting these situations are presented. Finally, survival indices of patients undergoing periodic haemodialysis are examined and it is concluded that, although various clinical problems have as yet failed to find a complete solution, the patient under haemodialysis can enjoy a satisfactory state of rehabilitation to family and working life and survive even for more than ten years after the terminal phase of uraemia.