Better Management of Volume with Intensive Hemodialysis

In the March issue of Nephrology News & Issues, I described the challenge of managing volume during and between hemodialysis sessions.

The root of the challenge is the intermittent nature of hemodialysis.

In the dominant schedule, intermittency is marked by 3 hemodialysis sessions per week, either on Monday-Wednesday-Friday or Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday, for 210 to 230 minutes per session.

The implication of this schedule is that we have 3 interdialytic gaps per week, including one gap of approximately 68 hours, during which fluid accumulates in the body, and we have all of 11 hours during which the hemodialysis machine removes that fluid.

Learn More