A Study of Near-Death Experience in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Background The near-death experiences (NDE) in dialysis patients of our country have not been previously studied. The objective of this study is to investigate the characteristics of NDEs in patients on dialysis. Materials and Methods We performed a cross sectional study of the adult patients of chronic kidney disease stage 5 without dialysis and on dialysis who survived cardiac arrest by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as per ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) guidelines and who sustained pulseless ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation and received CPR and/or direct cardioversion. We used two scales, Greyson’s NDE scale and Ring’s Weighted Core Experience Index (WCEI). Results We performed the study between 2016 and 2018. A total of 29 patients were included. The data based on Greyson’s NDE scale and Ring’s Weighted Core Experience Index (WCEI)were collected. Conclusions Our study brings a perspective of NDE in CKD and dialysis patients. A similar study of NDE in dialysis patients should be considered by other nephrologists.