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Measurement of Hemodialysis Adequacy in a Changing World
Author(s) -
Kjellstrand Carl M.,
Twardowski Zbylut J.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
home hemodialysis international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1542-4758
pISSN - 1480-0225
DOI - 10.1111/hdi.1999.3.1.13
Subject(s) - dialysis adequacy , dialysis , hemodialysis , urea , kt/v , intensive care medicine , medicine , volume (thermodynamics) , chemistry , thermodynamics , physics , biochemistry
Defining adequacy of dialysis remains an elusive goal. The application of the Kt/V urea concept to clinical dialysis was a major improvement in trying to define a dialysis dose. Intuitively, the Kt/V concept makes a great deal of sense: the urea clearance of the dialyzer during dialysis (K), multiplied by the time (t) of dialysis, divided by the patient's urea distribution volume (V) ought to give the best number to compare the efficiency of dialyses that patients receive. There are, however, many pitfalls associated with the whole Kt/V urea concept.