Cochrane Nursing Care Field: Human Albumin for Intra-dialytic Hypotension in Haemodialysis Patients

Abstract

First paragraph: Hypotension is the most common intra-dialytic complication occurring in 20%-50% of the haemodialysis sessions (Irwin & Rippe, 2003). Despite the use of a variety of preventative measures, such as sodium profiling, sequential ultrafiltration and prescription dialysate, some patients still experience the adverse effects of a sudden drop in blood pressure (BP). The main cause of this unpleasant complication is fluid removal during the dialysis procedure, although other factors are also known to contribute, for example the components of the dialysis procedure and other patientspecific factors such as left ventricular dysfunction.