9^th World Kidney Congress

Critical Care Nephrology

The predominant form of kidney replacement therapy is dialysis, a process that mimics the function of kidneys in purifying the blood. There are two main types of dialysis:

Hemodialysis:

Hemodialysis is essential for individuals experiencing renal failure. In this procedure, an artificial kidney is employed to cleanse the blood. An "access" point, typically in the lower arm, facilitates the easy extraction of blood from the patient's body. This blood is then directed to the artificial kidney for purification. After the cleansing process, the purified blood is reintroduced into the patient's body.

Peritoneal Dialysis:

Peritoneal dialysis does not utilize an artificial kidney. Instead, the peritoneum, the lining inside the abdomen, serves as a natural filter. There are two subtypes of peritoneal dialysis: continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. This method is employed in patients with kidney failure.