Types of Dialysis

Renal dialysis centres

Advanced treatment centres

Private medical centres

Renal dialysis falls into two main divisions: haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Haemodialysis

Standard haemodialysis

High flux haemodialysis

Peritoneal Dialysis

Haemodialysis is a replacement therapy; it is a method for removing waste products from blood when the patient's kidneys suffer from irrevocable renal failure. This procedure is accomplished with a mechanical device sometimes called an artificial kidney, which is connected to the patient with an extracorporeal blood circulation device of lines and filter.

A diffusion process allows the exchange of particles between two compartments, one for blood and the other for dialytic fluid. These are separated by a semipermeable membrane, which is assembled within the filter. In this way, contaminants go from blood flux to dialytic fluid and are removed.

The essential element of high flux dialysis is the use of osmotic membranes with larger pores. In this way larger toxic molecules can be removed from blood flux as well. Patients can derive further benefit from this kind of treatment, because it removes contaminants in a more accurate way.

On-line haemofiltration

Online haemofiltration is a very significant finding in the purifying methods for renal diseases, as it allows removal of low molecular weight solutes and middle molecular compounds, which are responsible for long-term cardiovascular and systemic complications.

This procedure has a special importance because the aim of progressive scientific improvements is to find blood purifying methods that are as similar as possible to that of sound kidneys.

Peritoneal dialysis makes use of peritoneal membrane, a lining of the abdomen, to store dialysis fluid temporarily, so that dialysis takes place within the body. This means that patients manage their own care to a greater extent than haemodialysis patients, who have to attend hospitals or clinics very frequently.

Dialysis takes about 1-2 hours each day, rather than about 4 hours several times per week. In this case however the patient has an operation in which a catheter is inserted into the abdomen and dialysis fluid is then administered through this.

The peritoneal membrane takes the place of the artificial semi-permeable membrane in kidney machines, allowing excess water and waste products to pass into the dialysis fluid, which is then trained away.

Both forms of dialysis have their benefits and drawbacks and in either case regular monitoring is essental.

MHL international web sites

MHLdialysis.com

Web sites in 30 countries

Click map for details