Dialysis Flashcards
What are the 3 main transport mechanisms at play in dialysis?
Diffusion
Convection
Adsorption
What is diffusion?
Diffusion is the process by which particles, atoms or molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration across a semi-permeable membrane
What factors can influence diffusion?
The concentration gradient and molecular weight of the solute both influence this process
What is ultrafiltration?
The movement of water and all solutes in it across a semi-permeable membrane in response to a pressure gradient
What is convection?
The movement of solutes through a membrane in response to the movement of fluids in ultrafiltration
What is adsorption?
Plasma proteins (Especially of low molecular weight), stick to the membrane surface and are removed by membrane binding
What type of membrane is best at allowing adsorption?
High flex membranes adsorb protein-bound solutes better than low flux membranes
What is dialysis?
A process that allows the removal of uraemic toxins and small solutes which build up in end-stage kidney disease
What are some uraemic toxins removed in dialysis?
- Urea and creatinine
- Potassium
- Sodium
What is dialysate?
A solution used to filter uraemic toxins
What is contained in the dialysate?
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Bicarbonate
- Magnesium
- Chloride
- Glucose
Why is the dialysate composition so important?
It prevents excessive losses of small solutes, many of which would be selectively reabsorbed by the native kidney
What are the 3 types of dialysis?
- Haemodialysis (HD)
- Haemodiafiltration (HDF)
- Peritoneal dialysis (PD)
What is the main transport mechanism of haemodialysis (HD)?
Diffusion
Small amount of convection and adsoprtion
What are the 9 stages of haemodialysis?
- Vascular access gained
- Blood removed (Rate 300-350mls/min)
- Arterial pressure monitored
- Heparin pump (Prevents clotting)
- Dialyzer inflow pressure monitoring
- Dialyzer (Contains dialysate)
- Venous pressure monitored
- Air trap and air detection
- Return of blood to the body
What are the 4 methods of gaining vascular access in dialysis?
- Arteriovenous fistula
- Arteriovenous graft
- Tunnelled central venous catheter
- Temporary venous catheter
What is the main transport mechanism of haemodiafiltration?
Convection (Ultrafiltration)
Describe the process of haemodiafiltration
Large volumes of ultra-filtrate add enormously to the solute drag, especially for larger “Middle molecules”
The greater the convective force, the greater will be the generated volume of the pressure-driven ultra-filtrate
There is still diffusion down engineered concentration gradients
As there is a large amount of fluid and solutes removed from the blood in HDF, then this fluid volume needs to be replaced
Replacement of extra-convective ultra-filtrate throughout the dialysis period is the key difference between HD and HDF
Ultrapure replacement fluid - As this replacement fluid must be given back directly to the patient’s circulation, the purity of this replacement fluid is pivotal
What are the positives of HDF?
HDF has been reported to offer a smoother, less symptomatic treatment than HD, enhances recovery time, improves survival and can be achieved at a similar cost to HD
What is the minimum prescription of HD and HDF?
3.5-4 hours per session, 3 times per week