Handbook of Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis is a clinical procedure used to remove fluid and waste products from blood and to correct the electrolyte imbalance in the human body. It is done using a hemodialysis machine and dialyzer called "artificial kidney". It is a renal replacement therapy. Hemodialysis can be performed in a hospital, a non-hospital dialysis centre, or at home. A surgeon makes an entrance into the blood vessels to get the blood to the dialyzer. This is accomplished with a minor surgery, which is commonly performed on the arm. Fistula and graft are the two most common ways to gain vascular access. A fistula is a connection that is formed by connecting an artery to a neighbouring vein beneath the skin to form a larger blood vessel. This is the recommended method of access because it has fewer issues and lasts longer. A graft is a procedure in which a short, soft tube made of synthetic material is put under the skin to connect an artery and a nearby vein. A catheter is a thin, flexible tube that is placed into a major vein in the neck or chest. This sort of access is typically employed when dialysis is only required for a short period of time. The various studies that are constantly contributing towards advancing technologies and techniques of hemodialysis are examined in detail within this book. Medical professionals and students actively interested in this medical procedure will find it full of crucial and unexplored concepts.