[Bicarbonate-containing dialysate: a critical study]

Renewed interest in bicarbonate as the dialysate base replacement during hemodialysis has introduced new settings on acetate-dialysate delivery systems commercially available. Numerous technical problems are associated with unstable bicarbonate solutions. Therefore, several precautions must be observed: 1) Bicarbonate dialysis requires two concentrates: one containing the base replacement bicarbonate and the other containing basically calcium and magnesium chlorides, 2) A two-stream proportioning system afforded by an appropriate dialysate delivery machine should be used to mix the bicarbonate and acid concentrates, in order to ensure on-line production of the final dialysate, 3) Additional monitors, such as pH monitor, are required to prevent misuse of concentrates. These new ancillary equipments and the relatively high cost of bicarbonate concentrates could slow down the extension of bicarbonate dialysis which is potentially beneficial for all dialysis patients.