Hypotension in PCKD Patients on Dialysis

"My husband has PCKD is on dialysis and has hypotension during treatment. What are the causes? How to deal with this problem?"
Dialysis-induces hypotension in PCKD is a very severe clinical problem, which is one of the most frequent complication that may diminish patient's life quality, and increase mortality in people with renal replacement therapy.
The most common cause is decrease of blood volume due to dehydration too much or too quickly. Other causes may also include:
1) Excess fluid weight gain. This means gaining too much weight between dialysis sessions;
2) Long-term used of hypotonic solution;
3) A very weak heart;
4) Excessive BP medications;
5) Autonomic nerve dysfunction;
6) Being allergic to dialysis equipment.

What can we do to deal with this complication?
▪ Certain saline water can be injected in patient's blood vessels before the start of the procedure. By doing this, we can avoid quick decline of blood volume.
▪ Use high sodium dialysate.
▪ Do not eat foods during the treatment process.
▪ Receiving treatment in a low temperature environment can stimulate the skin and lead to vasoconstriction. This has certain preventive effect.
Dialysis may be helpful to maintain a normal life of patients with PCKD, but patients should be aware that it is not a treatment for the disease. It cannot recover the kidney function, so patients has better adopt other effective therapy while receiving renal replacement therapy and treat the disease from the root. The treatment should help us stop further deterioration of kidney function, repair and restore the renal function so as to treat the renal disease and get rid of dialysis.

Learn More: Efficient Treatment for High Blood Pressure Caused by PKD