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We have investigated the usefulness and practicability of the so-called sequential hypertonic dialysis in 2 selected patients with severe hemodialysis-induced hypotension; 190 mmol/l of sodium dialysate during the 1st and 3rd h and 132 mmol/l throughout the 2nd and 4th h were used, with a Drake-Willock-Bi proportionating unit, which was electronically modified for the purpose of the study. Crossover was made, patients serving as their own controls in two consecutive cycles: 3 weeks conventional hemodialysis followed by 4 weeks sequential hypertonic dialysis, using high-flux dialyzers. At the end of sequential hypertonic dialysis a greater weight loss was achieved (p < 0.001) with absolute stability of blood pressure. There were no significant changes in plasma osmolality and plasma volume during sequential hypertonic dialysis when compared with conventional hemodialysis. Dialysis symptoms and complications were less frequently recorded during sequential hypertonic dialysis (p < 0.001). At the end of each sequential hypertonic dialysis period, hemoglobin, potassium, and phosphate plasma levels improved significantly and plasma sodium concentrations remained within the normal range. We conclude that sequential hypertonic dialysis is an easy and routine feasible procedure with our methodology. It is possible to achieve the ideal dry weight with no symptomatic hypotension. Sequential hypertonic dialysis constitutes an alternative to sequential ultrafiltration in selected patients, as it minimizes the falloff in plasma volume and osmolality observed during conventional hemodialysis.

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