How does haemodialysis work?

Doctor's Answers 1

Patients whose kidneys have failed completely (end-stage renal disease) require some form of therapy to replace the function of their kidneys in order to sustain life. Haemodialysis is one of three forms of renal replacement therapy, with the other 2 being peritoneal dialysis and kidney transplantation.

About haemodialysis

In haemodialysis, a machine moves your blood through a filter which helps to remove toxic wastes before returning the blood to you. Besides wastes, it helps to remove excess water (thus helping to control blood pressure) and balances important nutrients like sodium, potassium and calcium in your blood. Most patients with kidney failure will have to undergo 3 sessions of haemodialysis a week, each lasting around 4 hours at a dialysis centre.

As blood has to be drawn out and returned to your body in a continuous manner during the dialysis session, patients will have to have a 'vascular access' for needles to be placed. This may be a catheter which is placed in the neck or usually a surgically-created fistula. A fistula is an artificial connection between an artery and vein, usually in the arm, to allow a high flow of blood through the dialysis machine.

About peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis, on the other hand, uses the lining of your belly to filter your blood. A catheter is surgically inserted into your belly prior to the start of treatment. This catheter allows the introduction of dialysis solution into your belly to absorb wastes and excess fluid from your body over a period of time before draining it.

About kidney transplant

Kidney transplant is the best treatment for kidney failure as it allows you to live longer with a better quality of life. A kidney from a healthy donor (either living or deceased) is placed into you surgically. As the kidney is foreign to your own body, you will have to take life-long medication to decrease your immunity so that your body does not attack the new kidney.

Whenever possible, kidney transplant should be explored as the first choice for patients with kidney failure. As a transplant surgeon, I have personally seen how many lives have been transformed after kidney transplantation. Patients are able to go back to work and enjoy activities that they couldn't while on dialysis. That is why transplantation is referred to as 'the gift of life'!

Similar Questions

What is the cost of haemodialysis vs peritoneal dialysis?

Hi, Thank you for your question. The fees charged will depend whether you are doing it privately or obtaining government subsidies. For example, the fees for haemodialysis in the private sector can range from 200-500 dollars per session, depending if it is a satellite basic dialysis centre or a centre inside a private hospital with more comfort and other features and/or more capabilities to respond to emergencies. A centre located inside a private hospital will be more responsive to emergencies, than a centre in the local neighbourhood.

Photo of Dr Francisco Salcido-Ochoa

Answered By

Dr Francisco Salcido-Ochoa

Nephrologist

What do I need to know when choosing between haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis?

Hi, Choosing between peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis can be a difficult decision because there are many factors to consider and it is a significant event in patient’s life. There are patients who have medical contraindications for one therapy or for the other and therefore they do not have much choice, or patients that have certain medical conditions for which the doctors would recommend one therapy over the other one. Said that, most patients do have a choice.

Photo of Dr Francisco Salcido-Ochoa

Answered By

Dr Francisco Salcido-Ochoa

Nephrologist

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