Hemodiafiltration: An Advanced Renal Replacement Therapy for Kidney Failure

Hemodiafiltration (HDF) is a renal (kidney) replacement treatment used in cases of kidney diseases such as kidney failure. Kidney failure takes place when the kidneys are unable to filter and remove waste from the body. The kidneys are essential organs that maintain the body’s health by filtering waste from fluids. If the kidneys are unable to filter properly, waste may circulate back into the bloodstream and cause health issues.

Hemodiafiltration may be performed in patients with kidney failure. Nephrology specialists at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, also known as best Kidney Transplant Hospital in Bangalore, provide advanced treatment for dialysis to patients with renal failure and kidney diseases, offering unparalleled patient care for hemodiafiltration and chronic kidney failure.

Types of Kidney Failure

Kidney failure can be categorized into two broad categories:

• Acute Kidney Failure: In the case of acute kidney failure, the kidneys suddenly stop working, and the patient may experience difficulty in urination with little to no urine. Other symptoms may include swollen feet and legs, nausea, confusion, fatigue, back pain, shortness of breath, and seizures.
• Chronic Kidney Failure: In the case of chronic kidney failure, there may be a progressive loss of kidney function that takes place over several years. Waste may build up and reach dangerous blood levels, leading to symptoms such as weight loss, irregular urination, anaemia, nerve damage, and fluid-filled lungs.

Both chronic and acute kidney failure may require medical rehabilitation and treatment using hemodiafiltration to maintain kidney function throughout life.

What Happens in Hemodiafiltration?

Hemodiafiltration is a dialysis technique that combines diffusive and convective clearance of fluid wastes. This technique can provide the largest removal of molecules across a diverse size range and may be better suited as a treatment among available dialysis therapies. At Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, hemodiafiltration is offered, where the replacement solution itself is generated by the dialysis machine, enabling large convection volumes. This revolutionary therapy for kidney failure has benefited many patients suffering from chronic kidney function failure.

During hemodiafiltration, two needles are placed in the patient’s arms, through which the blood passes into a filter connected to the dialysis machine. The machine pumps the patient’s blood through the filter, removing waste substances, and then returns the filtered blood back into the patient’s bloodstream. Throughout the hemodiafiltration process, the patient is kept under constant monitoring for blood pressure and other vital signs.

Advantages of Hemodiafiltration

There are advantages of hemodiafiltration over traditional dialysis in managing side effects due to dialysis and improving overall quality of life.

• In comparison to traditional dialysis, hemodiafiltration may provide better chances of survival and improve the quality of life for patients.
• Patients undergoing hemodiafiltration may have a better ability to handle hypotensive episodes.
• There may be a decreased chance of inflammation when undergoing hemodiafiltration.
• There may be a lower incidence of complications with hemodiafiltration.
• Hemodiafiltration may improve bone strength and reduce the chances of skin rashes.
• Hemodiafiltration allows for middle to large molecular clearance, unlike traditional dialysis.
• Better management of nutrition and appetite can be achieved by reducing the chance of developing anaemia.

When is Hemodiafiltration Required?

Hemodiafiltration may be recommended when chronic kidney failure progresses towards end-stage kidney failure. Patients who may require a kidney transplant may also be required to undergo hemodiafiltration. Hemodiafiltration may also be recommended for patients who require hemodialysis to replace and improve kidney function.

Hemodiafiltration may offer a greater rate of clearance of uremic (waste) substances from the patient’s blood, covering a wider range of molecular sizes. It may provide better control of nutrition and appetite levels, infectious complications, inflammation, anaemia, as well as complications like hyperphosphatemia and amyloidosis associated with dialysis. Hemodiafiltration may also help manage other symptoms and side effects, including insomnia, irritability, restless leg syndrome, intradialytic tolerance, polyneuropathy, and itching.

Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka, renowned as the best kidney hospital in Bangalore, provides comprehensive, all-round consultation, diagnostic, and care services for various kidney diseases under the Nephrology Department. Our highly specialized team of Nephrologists, with years of clinical experience in treating patients with kidney diseases, is committed to delivering the highest quality patient-centric treatment and care when it comes to Kidney Surgery in Bangalore. Equipped with technologically advanced, state-of-the-art equipment for hemodiafiltration (HDF), we ensure holistic treatment and management of kidney diseases. Book your appointment now if you are looking for Kidney Transplantation in Bangalore.