Prevention of hypoxemia during dialysis by the use of sequential isolated ultrafiltration-diffusion dialysis with bicarbonate dialyzate

Previous studies have demonstrated that hypoxemia does not occur during isolated ultrafiltration, but does occur during diffusion dialysis with acetate, whether it is performed alone or following a period of isolated ultrafiltration. To determine if the substitution of bicarbonate for acetate in dialyzate could prevent hypoxemia, we studied the effect of sequential isolated ultrafiltration-diffusion dialysis with bicarbonate on arterial oxygen concentration. There was no significant change in pO ₂ during isolated ultrafiltration or the subsequent period of diffusion dialysis. In addition, excess body fluid could be removed and effective dialysis achieved without marked tachycardia or fluctuations in blood pressure. We conclude that sequential isolated ultrafiltration diffusion dialysis with bicarbonate is a safe and effective way of dialyzing patients without producing hypoxemia or cardiovascular instability.