Intermittent Hemodialysis in Chronic Renal Failure

Abstract

Initially, the artificial kidney was used in chronic uremia only on a short-term basis when the uremic state threatened life. The introduction of permanent indwelling arteriovenous cannulas has now made long-term hemodialysis possible. This approach assures easy access to the blood stream and eliminates the need for long-term anticoagulant therapy. Candidates for this technic live at home and enter the hospital approximately one hour before the scheduled dialysis. Each dialysis requires about 20 hours; otherwise, patients are ambulatory at home or at work.