Long-term Hemodialysis

World-wide, more than 500,000 people are currently receiving long-term haemodialysis. A large number of patients live longer than 20 years after commencement of the therapy, facts which have established the value of haemodialysis as a therapeutic method with no theoretical limitation on the length of survival it offers to patients. Given the major theoretical advances in both the technology and medical knowledge since its early stages, the text presents an up-to-date coverage of all its technical and clinical aspects. This study covers the most recent developments in the area, particular attention being paid to biocompatibility, adequacy of dialysis and patient nutrition. Special emphasis is placed on the many clinical problems encountered in the care of the dialysis patient, since proper management may prevent most uremic complications and will improve the well-being of the patient in the long term. The book is written in such a style, that not only should health-care professionals easily understand the essentials of hemodialysis; the patients themselves should also find the book useful.