Effect of cooled dialysate on serum catecholamines and blood pressure stability.

In the current study dialysis at 34 degrees C resulted in improved vascular stability in a group of patients who developed hypotension on conventional dialysis at 37 degrees C. Side effects of dialysate cooling were not noteworthy. The stability of blood pressure during cool dialysis may at least in part be due to an increase in plasma norepinephrine concentrations not observed during warm dialysis. Although pathogenesis of dialysis induced hypotension has not been clearly elucidated, a reduced vasoconstrictor and catecholamine response may be an important mechanism.