Preface

Renal failure is a many-sided clinical state that normally progresses to kidney chronic disease (CKD). Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is a set of techniques applied to replace the capacity of blood filtration, which is completely lost in end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

This book brings a multidisciplinary approach to RRT in its three sections, from qualitative analysis to technical and clinical reviews.

Section I, "Health and Wellness," includes two chapters that summarize crucial aspects of promoting the health and wellness of ESRD patients. In Chapter 1, Michael et al. present important aspects of Quality of Life (QoL) and exercise for patients. This chapter refers to the definitions and perceptions used as markers for QoL as a tool to be added to the nursing routine. Chapter 2, by Moreira et al., discusses "hope" as a multidimensional concept and its application in the follow-up of patients undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Section II, "Hemodialysis Routine and Patients Care," includes three chapters. Chapter 3, by Patel, discusses vascular access, from the role of radiology in technical practice to the potential early and late complications related to this procedure. Chapter 4 by Vizcarra reviews vascular accesses for hemodialysis. Chapter 5 by Rocha examines patient safety in hemodialysis and discusses some key aspects for reducing the risk of unnecessary harm related to hemodialysis.

Section III, "Renal-Associated Diseases and Clinical Biomarkers," includes four chapters. Chapter 6 by Khrulev et al. reviews cerebrovascular disorders in both pre-dialysis and RRT patients from a pathophysiologic point of view and discusses clinical endpoints among patients at two-year follow-up. Chapter 7 is a remarkable assessment of Fabry disease (FD) by Wang et al. This X-linked lysosomal storage disorder has an important impact on renal function. Some FD patients are submitted to enzymatic replacement therapy while undergoing RRT and the understanding of this genetic disease is crucial for better clinical management. In Chapter 8, Hashim reviews the prognostic value of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) in patients with ESRD, focusing on plasma PTH level parameters in CKD. Finally, Chapter 9 by Shutov and Filatova summarizes cardiorenal syndrome in patients on RRT.

Clinical routines are increasingly focused on the translational scenario of health sciences. Practically all procedures of a medical clinic depend on the participation of professionals from different areas of health. Therefore, *Multidisciplinary Experiences in Renal Replacement Therapy* brings together studies from different perspectives on RRT.

As an editor, I am honored to have organized the studies included in this book. I thank all the contributing authors and the staff at IntechOpen for their commitment and dedication to the project.

> **Ane C.F. Nunes, Ph.D.** University of California, Irvine, USA
