What is the procedure for dialysis?

There are two types of dialysis:-

Haemodialysis – Diverts blood into an external machine, where it’s filtered before being returned to the body.

Peritoneal dialysis – Pumps dialysis fluid into abdominal space to draw out waste products from the blood.

Haemodialysis process

• Pre-dialysis procedure – arteriovenous fistula(blood vessel is created by connecting an artery to a vein to transfer blood into dialysis machine and back again)
• During dialysis, 2 thin needles are inserted into the arteriovenous fistula.
• One needle removes blood and transfers it to a machine called a dialyser.
• The machine filters the waste products from the blood.
• Filtered blood is passed back into the body through the second needle.
• Most often, 3 sessions of haemodialysis are needed per week.

Peritoneal dialysis

There are two types of peritoneal dialysis
• Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (blood is filtered several times during the day)
• Automated peritoneal dialysis (a machine helps filter blood during the night while sleeping)

Continuous peritoneal dialysis process

• Pre-dialysis procedure involves making an opening in the abdomen and thin catheter is inserted.
• During dialysis, dialysate fluid flows through catheter into peritoneal cavity.
• Waste products from the blood are drawn out into the dialysate fluid.
• After a few hours, fluid is drained into waste bag.
• Fresh dialysate fluid is passed into cavity to replace it.

Automated peritoneal dialysis process

• A bag filled with dialysate fluid is attached to an automated peritoneal dialysis machine.
• It automatically performs a number of fluid exchanges, drawing out waste products.
• The fluid is changed before the next session.
If dialysis has been suggested for you or someone you know, have a detailed discussion with your nephrologist on all your doubts and questions. With improvement in medical technology, dialysis is becoming more efficient with every passing year.

Note, this blog post was updated on March 26, 2021

 

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