Contents



Preface

Hemodialysis (HD) treatment has undergone significant improvements in technology and quality performance in managing patients with kidney failure. These advancements include state-of-the-art HD machines, water treatment plants with ultrapure water, medical devices, disposables, and solutions. More recently, there have been significant improvements in the creation and maintenance of vascular access as well as the types, classifications, and monitoring of uremic toxins and their relationship with inflammation, atherosclerosis and vascular classification, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Innovation in dialysis membranes/dialyzers resulted in the development of the medium cut-off membrane, which enables the removal of largersized uremic toxins in a safe, simple, and effective way. The HD technique that uses the medium cut-off membrane/dialyzer is known as expanded hemodialysis (HDx). HDx therapy has been shown to result in significant improvement in the quality of life of HD patients as well as reductions in hospitalization, medications, and non-fatal

*Updates on Hemodialysis* discusses different aspects of these innovations and can be used as a guide to improve daily practice and achieve best possible medical outcomes in HD patients. Chapters are clear and easy to read and include illustrations, figures,

I wish to thank the contributing authors for their excellent chapters. My thanks also go to IntechOpen and Publishing Process Managers Mrs. Blanka Gugic and Ms. Marina Dusevic for their assistance in collecting and editing the chapter manuscripts.

**Ayman Karkar**

Consultant Physician and Nephrologist,

Renal Care – Middle East and Africa,

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Head Medical Affairs at Baxter International Inc.,

cardiovascular events.

and tables to support the text.
