The haemodialysis

It is about directly purifying the blood using a device with a filter system (artificial kidney) to supplement the functioning of your kidneys. For this, it is necessary to plan the establishment of access to your vessels or vascular access:

Either an arteriovenous fistula on one arm at least 3 weeks before management,
Either the placement of a dialysis catheter in a neck vein if the dialysis is started quickly or if your vessels do not allow for an arteriovenous fistula.

Haemodialysis treatment

Hemodialysis is an intermittent treatment (3 weekly sessions of a minimum of 4 hours per session in general).

The frequency and duration of sessions are a medical prescription, the success of your treatment also depends on compliance with all prescribed sessions. It can be done in all cases and always at the beginning of your treatment in a center, then, if your health condition and your conditions of autonomy allow it and after an apprenticeship (training), in an auto-dialysis unit or at your home.

During your hemodialysis sessions, you will be able to benefit from a continuous nephrological follow-up. You can ask him/her questions about your treatment and your health status.

For more information on the specific technique of dialysis and the equipment used, you can consult the following sections:

Treatment partially or fully supported by the patient (can be assisted by a nurse):

In Auto Dialysis, the doctor is not present in the unit, he is reachable and likely to intervene if needed, he makes visits once a week. Your journey will always begin with a care in a heavy center.

Depending on your health condition, and the tolerance of the sessions, you may be directed to assisted self-dialysis based on medical decision. During the visits or consultations carried out by the nephrologist, you will be invited to inform him of your health condition, and you can ask him any useful questions about your treatment.

Hemodialysis can present risks

Complications related to your vascular approach

This is the risk of bacterial or viral infections, thrombosis and hemorrhage that is common in the vicinity by fistula and dialysis catheters. The protection of your venous capital is the concern that your nephrologist and any health professional share with you.

The bleeding risk

Anticoagulant treatment preventing the coagulation of your blood in the dialysis circuit exposes you to a risk of bleeding. You must report any bleeding tendency to your referring nephrologist and the fact that you are under dialysis during any intervention outside of dialysis.

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness can announce a drop in tension. Compliance with hygiene and dietary rules limits the risk of hypotension.
Transient fatigue can occur within a few hours of a haemodialysis session.

If these disorders persist abnormally for a long time after the session, you should report it to your nephrologist who will modify the parameters of your treatment.

The current conditions of hemodialysis monitoring allow for rapid screening of session abnormalities and their treatment, but do not hesitate to quickly inform the staff of your signs on your own.

Unpredictable life-threatening complications have become rare.