The Effect of Two Different Bicarbonate-Containing Dialysis Solutions on Acidosis Control in Hemodialysis Patients

OBJECTIVE: In hemodialysis patients; there is a continuing tendency to metabolic acidosis. In studies, the relationship between serum bicarbonate concentration and dialysis mortality has been determined. In our study, the effect of 32 and 36 mmol/L bicarbonate-containing dialysis solution on acidosis control was investigated.

MATERIAL and METHODS: In a hemodialysis clinic, a 32 mmol/L bicarbonate-containing dialysate was used in the first six months and a 36 mmol/L bicarbonate-containing dialysate was used in the second six months. The study was performed on 91 (43M/48F) patients. Plasma bicarbonate levels before and after dialysis were compared.

RESULTS: In the first period, only 30 patients’ bicarbonate levels were 22 mmol/L or more. In the second period, the mean bicarbonate level was 23.59±3.3 mmol/L. However, the level of bicarbonate after dialysis was above 30 mmol/L in 19 patients. In patients with predialysis acidosis, the interdialytic mean weight gain was higher than in the group without acidosis (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two periods in terms of predialysis urea, Kt/V, albumin, potassium and CRP levels.

CONCLUSION: Acidosis control is better with the use of a dialysis solution containing 36 mmol/L bicarbonate. But at the end of dialysis, severe metabolic alkalosis developed on approximately twenty percent of patients. This situation can trigger arrhythmia. We therefore think that it is necessary to adjust the machine bicarbonate in the use of high bicarbonate solution in patients with arrhythmia or alkalosis tendency.