Internal hemodiafiltration versus low-flux bicarbonate dialysis: Results from a long-term prospective study.

Introduction: About ten years ago it was discovered that changes in filter design which increase passive filtration improved dialysis efficiency. Later, these modified membranes showed similar intra-dialytic efficiency when used in on-line hemodiafiltration or in bicarbonate dialysis, called internal hemodiafiltration.

Aim And Methods: On the basis of these previous results, we studied the long-term effects of internal hemodiafiltration, in comparison with low-flux bicarbonate dialysis.

Some old drugs improve late primary patency rate of native arteriovenous fistulas in hemodialysis patients.

Vascular access failure causes 20% of all hospitalizations of dialysis patients. Native arteriovenous fistulas, the best type of dialysis vascular access, have a 1-year primary patency rate that is extremely variable, ranging 40-80%. Neointimal hyperplasia is the most important cause of arteriovenous fistula late primary dysfunction.

Homocysteine-lowering vitamin B treatment decreases cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Dialysis patients have higher cardiovascular events rate than patients with normal renal function. Hyperhomocysteinemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, is frequently detected in dialysis patients. Vitamin B supplementation lowers hyperhomocysteinemia, but it is unknown whether it reduces cardiovascular events rate.

[A single centre study about the effects of HFR on anemia].

Purpose: Erythropoietin (EPO) deficiency, erythropoiesis inhibition and reduction in red blood cell survival are the main causes of anemia in endstage renal disease (ESRD). Hemodiafiltration (HDF) with on-line endogenous reinfusion eliminates backfiltration and uses an ultrapure dialysate and reinfusate. This technique should improve anemia correction by increasing uremic toxin removal and reducing inflammatory cytokine production.