Summary:The effect of increased extracopreal blood flow rate on left ventricular (LV) function has been studied during volume-controlled bicarbonate hemodialysis. Ten stable patients on chronic hemodialysis, with a mean age of 28 years (range 19-38) were studied using two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. The mean time on hemodialysis was 32 months (range 3-60). All patients were investigated during three dialysis sessions on the first day of the week for 3 consecutive weeks. The blood flow rate was chosen randomly as 250, 350, or 450 cc/min. Apart from the time of hemodialysis and blood flow rate, other parameters of the hemodialysis were kept stable during all three sessions. Echocadiographic studies were done before, at mid dialysis, and during the last 15 min of each dialysis session. The following parameters were evaluated: heart rate, mean blood pressure, shortening fraction, ejection fraction, cardiac output, and pre-ejection period/LV ejection time ratio. The changes of the measured cardiac parameters at the beginning, middle and end of each session were not significantly different. Furthermore, the differences in changes between the three different sessions were comparable. Our results indicate that an increase in dialysis blood flow rate up to 450 cc/min does not have an adverse effect on the left ventricle in patients on maintenance hernodialysis and with stable cardiovascular function.

Background Patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis suffered from many nutritional complications such as protein-energy wasting. Nutritional assessment is a basic and necessary process in the nutritional management of those patients. Nutritional assessment includes obtaining specific data to create a metabolic and nutritional profile of the patient. Aim The study aimed to assess the nutritional status among patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis regimen. Design A descriptive research design was utilized in the study. Sample A convenient sample of 100 participants undergoing hemodialysis. Setting Data were collected from Nephrology, Dialysis, and Transplantation Center at Kaser Al-Ainy Hospital, affiliated to Cairo University hospitals. Tools Two tools were utilized to collect data: sociodemographic data sheet and comprehensive nutritional assessment sheets. Results Male and female participants nearly equal to 78% urban. Conclusion The study results revealed that the majority of study sample has many nutritional disturbances such as anemia, hypocalcemia, and decreased lean body mass. Recommendations Raising awareness of nurses who care for hemodialysis patients regarding the importance of nutritional assessment of hemodialysis patients and its application in the protocol of care.