Hemodialysis is used to cleanse the blood of nitrogenous compounds and electrolytes in cases where the kidneys cannot cope with their work.
What is this procedure? It is carried out with the help of an "artificial kidney" - a special apparatus consisting of three components. Let's take a closer look at the essence of this process.
Hemodialysis - what is it?
This procedure is also called extracorporeal detoxification. This name emphasizes the essence of the process - natural filtration, which should be carried out by the kidneys, is taken out of the body. Metabolism across a semi-permeable membrane is called hemodialysis.
What is it from a biochemical point of view? The membrane on one side is washed by blood containing electrolytes and nitrogenous slags. On the other hand, dialysate. These two fluids create a concentration gradient along which metabolic products are released from the blood. Ultrafiltration, which is hemodialysis (what is it and what is its procedurecarrying out, we will describe a little below), is carried out using a special apparatus.
Artificial Kidney
This unit consists of three components. The dialyzer is the most important of these, it is equipped with a semi-permeable membrane, which is made from synthetic materials or cellulose. This is a functional element that provides filtration of waste products of the body and toxins. Also, the unit contains a device that supplies blood through the tubes, and a device for preparing a dialysis solution. Blood also contains proteins, bacteria, and large elements that are retained by the membrane.
Then they are returned to the body through a vein. Blood is supplied to the dialyzer through tubes using a roller pump. The system also measures blood flow and pressure. The hemodialysis doctor monitors these indicators. It also determines the composition of the dialysis solution - depending on the level of electrolytes in the blood plasma, it needs to be adjusted. Most often, the concentration of potassium fluctuates, sometimes sodium.
Who needs an "artificial kidney"?
Outpatient hemodialysis is prescribed for certain conditions such as chronic kidney disease, severe alcohol poisoning, overdose of drugs and certain poisons. Without hemodialysis, the patient may die. After this procedure, people can continue their normal lives. Contraindications to its implementation are some bleeding, pulmonary tuberculosis (in active form), malignant tumors, psychosis, old age withthe presence of diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, heart failure and some other diseases. Hemodialysis is recommended to be carried out about three times a week, its duration is about 4 hours. You can do this procedure in accordance with various programs. After all, depending on the type of membrane used, hemodialysis can be performed every day or reduce the number of procedures to two per week.
