Hypoxemia during hemodialysis

Decrease in arterial oxygen tension has been reported during hemodialysis.(1-3) The etiology of the hypoxemia has not been clearly demonstrated. Intravascular leukostasis,(1) pulmonary arterial microembolization,(3) and loss of CO(2) through the dialyzer are some of the explanations given for this abnormality.(2,4) Why a small percentage of hemodialysis patients develop profound, symptomatic hypoxemia has not been satisfactorily explained.