Analysis of the average ultrafiltration rate per session of patients in a hemodialysis unit

Abstract

Introduction: In haemodialysis (HD) patients, the wrong adjustment of the ideal weight can lead to fluid overload, which can cause episodes of heart failure or, conversely, to a low weight situation, generating hypotension that triggers ischemic heart disease. A maximum ultrafiltration (UF) of 10 ml/kg/hr is considered adequate. A higher value is associated with an increase in mortality. Objectives: To analyse the average ultrafiltration rate used in the study centre, and to know what percentage of patients exceeded the maximum recommended ultrafiltration. Material and Method: An observational, prospective study in 58 haemodialysis patients was carried out, analysing the ultrafiltration rate expressed in ml/kg/hr per session for 6 months. A UF rate>10 ml/kg/hr was defined as the cut-off point, according to the current criteria of adequate rate, to determine which patients had a UF greater than 10 ml/kg/hr in more than 25% of the sessions. Results: During the study period, the average UF rate of all patients was 8.78±2.76 ml/kg/hr, although the percentage of sessions per patient with a UF rate greater than 10 ml/kg/hr was 35.9±29.74%. Conclusion: A high percentage of patients present UF rates above the recommended values. Strategies to decrease values must be sought, with health education on diet and individualized adjustment of dialysis sessions being fundamental aspects.