Hemodialysis - what is this procedure?

To purify blood from nitrogen compounds and electrolytes in cases where the kidneys do not cope with their work, hemodialysis is used. What is this procedure? It is carried out with the help of an "artificial kidney" - a special apparatus consisting of three components. Let's look at the essence of this process in detail.

Hemodialysis - what is it?

This procedure is also called extracorporeal detoxification. This name emphasizes the essence of the process - natural filtration, which should be performed by the kidneys, taken out of the body. The metabolism through a semipermeable membrane is called hemodialysis. What is it from the biochemical point of view? The membrane on one side is washed with blood containing electrolytes and nitrogenous slags. And on the other hand - dialyzing solution. Two of these fluids create a concentration gradient, through which blood products are separated from the blood. Ulfarfiltration, which is hemodialysis (what it is and what the procedure for its conduct, we'll tell you a little later), is carried out with the help of a special apparatus.

"Artificial kidney"

This unit consists of three components. Dialyzer - the most important of them, it is equipped with a semi-impermeable membrane, which is made of synthetic materials or cellulose. It is a functional element that ensures the filtration of the body's waste products and toxins. Also, the unit contains a device that supplies blood through the tubes, and a dialysate preparation device. Blood also contains proteins, bacteria and large elements that are retained by the membrane. Then they return to the body through a vein. In the dialyzer, blood is supplied through the tubes by means of a roller pump. The system also measures the rate of blood flow and pressure. The doctor of hemodialysis monitors these parameters. He 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?

Ambulatory hemodialysis is prescribed for certain diseases, such as chronic kidney failure, serious alcohol poisoning, drug overdose and some poisons. Without hemodialysis, the patient can die. After this procedure, people can continue a normal life. Contraindications to its conduct are some bleeding, tuberculosis of the lungs (in active form), malignant formations, psychoses, elderly age in the presence of diabetes, 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 according to different programs. After all, depending on the type of membrane used, hemodialysis can be done every day or reduce the number of procedures to two per week.