How does haemodialysis work?

If the access to your bloodstream is by a fistula or graft, one or two needles are inserted into it at the start of each haemodialysis session. Plastic tubes attached to these needles connect them to a special filter called a dialyzer or artificial kidney. If you have a vascular access catheter, tubes attached directly to this catheter connect it to the dialyzer.
The blood leaves your body via one needle, and is pumped through the dialyzer. There is an artificial membrane in the dialyzer. It removes wastes and extra fluid.
The clean blood is then returned to your body via another needle or port inserted into your fistula, or through a tube into your catheter.
Both needles are removed at the end of the session.

Only a small amount of blood (about 200mls) is outside your body at any one time.

Haemodialysis usually needs to be performed three times a week. Each treatment takes 3 to 6 hours.

You may feel tired and weak after treatment.

"I didn't like Haemo, ... It was boring and I didn't like having tubes in my neck, I wanted to be independent." -Claire Strover, kidney patient

May 1, 2006