A STUDY OF COMPLICATIONS ENCOUNTERED IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS PROCEDURE.

Objective: Hemodialysis is used in the patients with acute or irreversible renal failure, fluid and electrolyte imbalances and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The patients on hemodialysis are more likely to have cerebrovascular disease, cardiovascular disease and perivascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but intra-dialysis complications are frequently encountered. This study was planned to study the occurrence of various complications during hemodialysis procedure. Research design and methods: Seven hundred forty patients on hemodialysis were studied for complications during hemodialysis. Patients were selected via purposive sampling technique and detailed history and appropriate clinical examination was done in each patient. Complications encountered were divided into three groups: patient-related complication, technical complications, and vascular access-related complications. Data was compiled and appropriate statistical analysis was done. Results: Most common group of complications found in the study was patient-related complications (63%) and among that hypotension (26.8%) is the commonest followed by headache (25.1%) and hypertension (24.7%), frequency of vascular access-related complications (4.4%) and technical complications (3.1%) was very low. Conclusions: Hemodialysis is associated with a vivid number of complications some are even life-threatening, however strict monitoring proper assessment of patients and good clinical acumen may help in early detection and early management without the termination of life-saving procedures.