New Approaches to Hemodialysis

Treatment of end-stage renal disease with dialysis is characterized by high mortality rate, low quality of life, and high cost. Recent randomized controlled studies showed that increasing the dialysis dose above the currently recommended levels in thrice-weekly hemodialysis does not decrease the patient mortality rate. Short daily hemodialysis or daily home nocturnal hemodialysis are promising alternatives. Both improve quality of life and control blood pressure and anemia; nocturnal hemodialysis additionally controls serum phosphates without phosphate binders, allows a free diet, and corrects sleep apnea. Although the direct cost of daily hemodialysis is higher than that of conventional hemodialysis, the cost of total care, especially when delivered at home, seems to be lower. Further confirmation of these results is important. Restructuring of the dialysis reimbursement system is necessary to make the use of daily hemodialysis possible. Hemofiltration techniques, sorbents, and the renal tubular assist device may also help change the current grim statistics.