As we mentioned, the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the end stage involves the inability of the kidney to perform its functions, which results in a number of complications and impairs many vital processes in the body. Therefore, if anything does not work, it needs to be replaced. How? Substitution of renal function can be:
- artificial: by means of heamodialysis, haemofiltration or peritoneal dialysis1;
- natural: by means of kidney transplantation
Each type of treatment has indications and contraindications. Hemodialysis is a medical procedure that binds the patient to the dialysis machine until the end of life or the time of renal transplantation.
The patient has to come to a dialysis center 1-3 times a week, depending on the renal function deficit, where, with the help of specialized medical staff, he will be connected to a blood filtration device which for about 3-4 hours , will pass the blood through a special filtration system, will clean the body out of toxins and liquids excess. Extra fluid elimination from the patient’s body is performed by means of ultrafiltration. Kidney transplantation releases the patient from dialysis dependence. During surgery, a kidney is transplanted from living or deceased donors. However, transplantation is not recommended to be performed in elderly patients and patients with severe associated pathologies.