**1. Introduction**

226 Technical Problems in Patients on Hemodialysis

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Hyperkalaemia is a common, significant electrolyte disorder in uremia. Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) undergoing haemodialysis (HD) accumulate potassium during the interdialysis period, and clearance of this potassium is one of the functions of haemodialysis. A sudden decrease in blood potassium levels during haemodialysis can induce or worsen arrhythmias, (Cupisti et al., 1999) particularly in patients already suffering arrhythmia or with risk factors for developing arrhythmia, such as heart disease of any origin, old age and diabetes mellitus, disorders which are highly prevalent in our dialysis units. Acetate Free Biofiltration with Potassium Profiled Dialysate (AFB-K) is a new haemodialysis technique that uses a potassium profiled dialysate (high at the start and low at the end of dialysis), so that by maintaining a constant potassium gradient between dialysate and blood, the decrease in blood potassium is slower – thereby contributing to prevent the appearance of arrhythmia (Santoro et al., 2002).
