Recent advances in the prevention and management of intradialytic hypotension

Intradialytic hypotension continues to play a significant role in the morbidity and in some cases the mortality associated with maintenance hemodialysis. Greater precision in the determination of dry weight using bioimpedance technology and biofeedback systems designed to prevent rapid fluctuations in blood volume have recently been shown to decrease the frequency of this complication. Pharmacologic strategies designed to maintain peripheral vascular resistance in patients with insufficient release of endogenous vasoconstrictors continue to be explored. The sudden development of intradialytic hypotension may respond to specific antagonists to hypotensive mediators.