Introduction
Dialysis is the process of artificially cleansing the blood of wastes and fluid after the kidneys have failed. Most people undergo either hemodialysis (most common) or peritoneal dialysis but there are other types.
Hemodialysis (HD)
This type of dialysis involves a machine removing the blood from the body, running it through a dialyzer, and then returning it to the body. There are several different types:
- Conventional HD – Three times a week for 3-4 hours at a dialysis center.
- Home Dialysis – Conventional HD but at home.
- Daily Dialysis – Performed every day at a dialysis center or home.
- Nocturnal Dialysis – Performed at night either at a center or home.
Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)
This type of dialysis involves placing the dialysate fluid in the belly cavity for a certain amount of time and letting the wastes and fluid cross the abdominal or peritoneal membrane into this fluid. There are several different types:
- Ambulatory PD (CAPD) – 4 to 6 exchanges continuously over 24 hours.
- Cycler PD (CCPD / APD) – Multiple exchanges overnight by a cycler machine.
Isolated Ultrafiltration
This type of “dialysis” involves removing extra fluid only. It is usually performed when there is a problem with removing fluid.
- IUF – Removed over 1-2 hours (stable patients).
- SCUF – Removed slowly over many hours (unstable patients).
Hemodiafiltration
A special procedure used in the hospital (usually the ICU) where the patient is too sick for conventional dialysis. It involves removing and replacing a lot of fluid in the blood as well as dialyzing slowly and continuously.
