Traditional Method of Dialysis may Not be Enough in Kidney Failure Patients

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has warned that the traditional treatment method of thrice a week dialysis may not be enough for those with failed kidneys since the risk of serious health problems was high during the interval between the treatments. Majority of the people who suffer from failed kidney undergo dialysis three days a week where in the blood in purified of all toxins. The dialysis is carried out on alternate days, usually on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Researchers lead by Dr Robert Foley from the University of Minnesota, conducted the study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, to look whether the two day gap between the last dialysis of the week and the next dialysis was harmful to the patients.

The researchers analyzed medical records of more than 32,000 patients who underwent dialysis three times a week between 2005 through 2008 and found that the risk of heart attacks, hospitalizations and even death was increased during the two day interval.

Source-Medindia