Emergency department management of patients with complications of dialysis.

Abstract

In the United States, more than 450,000 patients are on dialysis due to end-stage renal disease. Compared to the general population, these patients account for a disproportionate number of emergency department visits due to higher rates of infection and cardiovascular complications, as well as issues unique to the process of dialysis itself, such as vascular access problems and dialysis disequilibrium syndrome. This issue describes the pathophysiology arising from hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis-related complications, as well as the evaluation and initial treatment within the emergency department, based on best available evidence.