Results of treatment of renal failure by means of home hemodialysis.

Of 630 patients who began hemodialysis treatment for chronic renal failure between 1965 and 1977, 147 successfully completed training for home hemodialysis. Patient compliance was satisfactory, as reflected by the results of monthly blood chemical values, hematocrits, and weight gain between dialysis. Although only 15 patients had previous myocardial infarctions and 4 had had strokes before beginning dialysis, 9 patients subsequently experienced acute myocardial infarctions and 14 had strokes. Of the 45 patients who died while being maintained by hemodialysis, 24 had cardiopulmonary complications and 6 had strokes. Despite such complications, 70 patients were gainfully employed and 32 were active at home or at school, whereas 29 were totally disabled. At last follow-up, 74 remained on home hemodialysis, 53 had functioning renal allografts, and the rest of the patients were being maintained in our dialysis center, had transferred elsewhere, or were being maintained by peritoneal dialysis. The overall estimated 5-year survival rate was 56%, whereas the estimated 5-year survival rate for those maintained by home hemodialysis alone was 52%.