The results of an 8 h thrice weekly haemodialysis schedule

Abstract

volume by a slow ultrafiltration, down to dry weight. acetate=35, K=1.5, Ca=1.75, Mg=0.75. A bicarbonate In most patients, tight control of blood pressure (BP) buVer is now used in 30% of the patients. The dialysate flow is achieved without the need for antihypertensive med- is 500 ml/min, the blood flow 220 ml/min. The blood access ication [2]. The incident population case mix shows used for dialysis in 75% of the patients is an arteriovenous an important trend toward older, weaker patients, with fistula. In the last few years, 15% of the patients have been high co-morbidity. The mortality and the morbidity using a central venous catheter and 10% a Thomas femoral on our long HD are better than usually reported. A shunt. major factor responsible for the good long-term sur- The patients are requested to eat a varied diet unrestricted in proteins with a large calorie intake. They are asked not vival seems to be the tight control of blood pressure. to add salt to their food. However, the use of cheese, a staple The purpose of this report is to describe the long part of the French diet, is not restricted (except during the HD method and to analyse its results in term of first few weeks of treatment). mortality and morbidity, with special attention to the The most usually prescribed medications include calcium, control of BP. vitamin D and aluminium hydroxide, if needed for phosphate Table 1. Demographic data of 876 patients included in the study Subjects and methods