Hemodialysis is a procedure for removing metabolic waste products or toxic substances from the bloodstream by dialysis. Hypotension or low blood pressure is the principal complication of chronic hemodialysis. Autonomic insufficiency is thought to be a primary contributing cause of hemodialysis hypotension.
Hypotension Post Hemodialysis Treatment
Patients who experience hemodialysis hypotension can be treated with midodrine, a selective alpha-1 adrenergic pressor agent in an initial effort to assess potential efficacy. Patients show a fall of > or = 30 mmHg in systolic blood pressure with associated clinical symptoms during hemodialysis. The lowest intra and post-dialysis blood pressures are monitored for five consecutive hemodialysis treatment periods before receiving midodrine, as a baseline. After the patients are titrated to a maintenance midodrine dose, the lowest intra and post-dialysis blood pressure data are again collected for five consecutive dialysis treatments. Hemodialysis blood pressures on midodrine treatment are compared to baseline to evaluate the effect of midodrine. Midodrine given at a mean treatment dose of 8 mg significantly increase the minimal systolic pressure from 93.1 “+ or – ” 3.8 to 107.1 + or – 3.2 mmHg and elevated the mean diastolic pressure from 52.3 + or – 2.9 to 57.9 + or – 2.3 mmHg during hemodialysis.
Oral midodrine appears to be a safe and effective therapy for hypotension post hemodialysis treatment. Blood pressure units can be measured by blood pressure monitor or digital blood pressure cuffs. Blood pressure readings are important as you can have a full grasp of your low blood pressure. Blood pressure information such as blood pressure charts are important also to administer the perfect blood pressure medication albeit blood pressure medicine as a hypotension post hemodialysis treatment.
