Comparison of two interventions of increased blood flow rate and high-flux filters on hemodialysis adequacy and complications; a quasi-experimental study

Introduction: Various parameters such as increased blood flow and high flux filter increase dialysis adequacy. Each parameter is associated with specific complications. Objective: The aim of this study was comparison of two interventions of increased blood flow rate and high-flux filter on hemodialysis adequacy and complications. Patients and Methods: This was a single-group quasi-experimental before-and-after intervention study. Twenty-two patients undergoing dialysis three times a week in the last 6 months consented to participate in the study. The participants were selected using random sampling method. They were reevaluated prior to dialysis and every 30 minutes until the end of each hemodialysis session using dialysis complication checklist. Dialysis adequacy was measured at the end of the fourth session for each patient. Results: The paired t test results showed a significant increase in dialysis adequacy in dialysis with increased blood flow and dialysis with high flux filter (high-flux hemodialysis) compared to routine dialysis (P = 0.01). A significant increase was found in incidence of muscular cramp in dialysis with increased blood flow compared to routine dialysis based on McNemar’s statistical test (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Dialysis adequacy improved in both increased blood flow intervention and high-flux hemodialysis compared to routine dialysis. On the other hand, increased blood flow intervention was associated with less complications than high-flux hemodialysis. In addition, increased blood flow intervention was more efficient and safer than high-flux hemodialysis.