"Results of large surface hemodialysis (LSH): a shorter and cheaper treatment".

A surface area of 5 m2, a QB of 500 ml/min and a QD of 1000 ml/min reduces the time of hemodialysis to just 6 hours per week. All the patients had been in a conventional dialysis program for at least 2 years. These patients have now been in LSH for a period of between 2 and 3 years. Most patients have no appreciable residual function, they follow a free diet, living a normal life, and weigh between 51 and 88 Kg, ranging in ages from between 26 and 69 years. We use this technique with 3 schedules: Schedule I) 2 hours/3 days/week; Schedule II) 3 hours/2 days/week; Schedule III) 6 hours/1 day/week. In the 3 schedules the clinical and biochemical results have been the same as with conventional dialysis. With this technique the patients have greater freedom and comfort because they avoid 312 hours per year connected to the artificial kidney. The patients in Schedule II also avoid 52 dialysis sessions and 104 trips to the dialysis center per year. And the patients in Schedule III also avoid 104 dialysis sessions and 208 trips to the center per year. Furthermore, the cost savings in Schedule II is $2,500 per year/patient and in Schedule III $8,500 per patient/year.