SHORT DIALYSIS - FOLLOW-UP DURING 2 YEARS

Forty one unselected patients, were shifted from conventional hemodialysis (12 hours a week) to short dialysis (9 hours a week). The dialysis therapy was prescribed individually by the urea kinetic model. Blood flow rate was raised from 250 to 300-350 ml/min, and larger surface area dialyzers were used. The mean follow up on short dialysis was 26 +/- 10 months (7-52). No difference in predialysis blood levels of urea, creatinine, urate electrolytes, hemograms, proteins, alkaline phosphatase, i-PTH and beta-2 microglobulin, was observed. A better control of serum phosphorus (1.64 vs 1.84 mmol/l, p < 0.01) and an increase in total serum calcium (2.29 vs 2.49 mmol/l; p < 0.01) were found. The protein intake monitored by PCR was improved. No significant increase in intradialytic morbidity and other clinical complications was noted.