Incremental Hemodialysis Schedule in Patients with Higher Residual Renal Function at the Start of Dialysis

Abstract

We present an observational study to evaluate a progressive schedule of dose of dialysis, starting with 2 HD/week, when the renal clearance of urea was equal to or greater than 2,5 mL/min/1,73 m2 and the patient is in a stable clinical situation. From 2006 to 2011, 182 patients started hemodialysis in our center, of which 134 were included in the study. Residual renal function (RRF), Kt/V, eKru, nPCR, hemoglobin, weekly erythropoietin dose, and beta-2-microglobulin were determined at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months after dialysis initiation. Seventy patients (52%) began with the progressive schedule of 2 HD/week and 64 (48%) patients began with the conventional thrice-weekly schedule (3 HD/week). The decline of RRF was lower in the group of 2 HD/week: 0,20 (0,02–0,53) versus 0,50 (0,14–1,08) mL/min/month (median and interquartile range, P=0,009). No relationship was found between the decline rate and the basal RRF. Survival analysis did not show differences between both groups. Our experience demonstrates that patients with higher residual renal function may require less than conventional 3 HD sessions per week at the start of dialysis. Twice-weekly hemodialysis schedule is safe and cost-effective and may have additional benefit in maintaining the residual renal function.