BACKGROUND In this prospective study, we aimed to assess the haemodynamic changes before and after haemodialysis (HD) in cardiac healthy subjects on chronic HD by imaging methods and endocrine markers of fluid balance. METHODS Mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP), N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), vasopressin (AVP) and copeptin (CT-proAVP), met...

BACKGROUND The study examines differences regarding quality of life (QoL), mental health and illness beliefs between in-centre haemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD/PD) patients. Differences are examined between patients who recently commenced treatment compared to patients on long term treatment. METHODS 144 End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients were recrui...

BACKGROUND Endothelial function of large arteries is impaired in chronic haemodialysis patients and oxidative stress due to the dialysis procedure has been suggested as a causal factor. However, it is not clear whether different types of dialysis membranes affect endothelial function differently. Therefore we determined endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial arter...

Effect of L-carnitine administration on erythropoietin use in thalassemic minor haemodialysis patients Sir, We read with great interest the recent letter by Arduini et al. [1], on the effect of L-carnitine (LC) on erythrocyte survival in haemodialysis patients. In the same issue, there is a paper by Hothi et al. [2] showing that plasma free-carnitine (FC) levels fell from 26. They conclude that...

BACKGROUND Chronic haemodialysis (HD) patients may present with severe predialysis hyperkalaemia which is improved by dialytic treatment. However, factors influencing the behaviour of postdialysis plasma potassium (plasma K) are not well known. METHODS In this prospective study 14 patients (7 female, 7 male) on chronic HD were investigated during a standardized 4-h HD with a 2 m2 high-flux di...

BACKGROUND Chronic inflammation in haemodialysis (HD) patients indicates a poor prognosis. However, therapeutic approaches are limited. Hydrogen gas (H(2)) ameliorates oxidative and inflammatory injuries to organs in animal models. We developed an HD system using a dialysis solution with high levels of dissolved H(2) and examined the clinical effects. METHODS Dialysis solution with H(2) (aver...

BACKGROUND Unfractionated heparin is the most common anticoagulant used in haemodialysis (HD), although it has many potential adverse effects. Citrate dialysate (CD) has an anticoagulant effect which may allow reduction in cumulative heparin dose (CHD) compared to standard acetate dialysate (AD). METHODS This double-blinded, randomised, cross-over trial of chronic haemodialysis patients deter...

Objectives: End stage renal failure patients, face multiple complications. One of them is the involvement of auditory system. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and degree of hearing loss in CKD patients on haemodialysis. Methods and Results: This cross sectional study was conducted from July 2014 to June 2015. The subjects consist of 50 CKD patients on haemodialysis. The pat...

Quality of life outcome (QOL) on dialysis is important. We determined the measurement properties of Spitzer's QL-index, a QOL measure, in our patients on chronic haemodialysis. The QL-index measures 5 dimensions of QOL (activity, daily activities, general health, social support and psychological outlook). 59 haemodialysis (HD) patients from 2 centres were rated by 5 raters. Inter-rater agreemen...

A 52-year-old male chronic haemodialysis (HD) patient was admitted with a 12 h history of severe, diffuse abdominal pain. Pain had commenced during the final hour of the patient’s previous HD session. The patient had been on dialysis for 22 years. Calciphylaxis of skin over the calf had been successfully treated with daily HD over a 3 month period. On examination the patient was in distress, hy...