Updated December 30, 2014.

Home hemodialysis has become an effective option for some patients who require dialysis care.

What is Home Hemodialysis?

Home hemodialysis is now an alternative for some patients with various types of renal diseases to use instead of visiting a dialysis center three times per week. A company called NxStage, headquartered in Lawrence, MA, has invented a portable dialysis machine that patients can use throughout their home as well as to travel.

The System One Cycler Home Hemodialysis Machine

Here is a summary of the specifications that NxStage reports for its System One Cycler unit:

• Therapy Options: Hemodialysis with or without ultrafiltration

Flow Rates:

• Blood: Up to 600 mL/min
• Fluid Exchange: Up to 12 L/hr
• Fluid Removal: Up to 2.4 L/hr

System One Cycler Size:

• Dimensions: (in) 15 x 15 x 18
• Weight: About 75 pounds

The unit also has a rolling suitcase that makes it possible to travel with the unit the way people roll their luggage through an airport.

Who Might Use a Home Hemodialysis Machine?

Patients with:

• chronic kidney failure, or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
• acute kidney failure due to surgery, trauma, poisoning, or other emergent health situations.

Benefits of Home Hemodialysis

Peer-reviewed clinical studies have shown the following benefits:

• Lower risk of death
• Less stress on the heart
• Better blood pressure control with fewer medications
• Much quicker recovery time after treatment
• Improved appetite and the ability to drink more
• Fewer depressive symptoms

• Better mental and physical health
• More energy and vitality
• Feeling of being in control of treatment and life
• Ability to travel

Important Considerations

Since we've used The NxStage System One Cycler as the example in this article for explaining home hemodialysis, let's look at some important considerations that NxStage advises.
Indications:
"The treatment of acute and chronic renal failure or fluid overload using hemodialysis with or without ultrafiltration, in an acute or chronic care facility. The system is also indicated for hemodialysis with or without ultrafiltration in the home."

"All treatments must be administered under a physician's prescription, and must be observed by a trained and qualified person, considered to be competent in the use of this device by the prescribing physician."

"A patient should not dialyze alone, regardless of whether they are trained and qualified."

Learn more about:

• End Stage Renal Disease
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Acute Kidney Disease
• Dialysis

Sources:

1. The FHN Trial Group. In-center hemodialysis six times per week versus three time per week. New England Journal of Medicine 2010; 363:2287-2300.
2. Zoccali C., et al. Left ventricular mass monitoring in the follow-up of dialysis patients: Prognostic value of left ventricular hypertrophy progression. Kidney International (2004) 65, 1492–1498.
3. Jaber B, et al. Effect of Daily Hemodialysis on Depressive Symptoms and Postdialysis Recovery Time: Interim Report From The FREEDOM (Following Rehabilitation, Economics and Everyday-Dialysis Outcomes Measurements) Study. Am J Kidney Dis 2010;56:531-539.
4. Rahman M, et al. Patterns of Antihypertensive Medication Use in Hemodialysis Patients. American Journal of Healthy-System Pharmacy. 2004;61(14).
5. Kooienga L. PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM AND MANAGEMENT IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: Phosphorus Balance with Daily Dialysis. Seminars in Dialysis 2007;20:342-345.
6. Jaber B, et al. Effect of Daily Hemodialysis on Depressive Symptoms and Postdialysis Recovery Time: Interim Report From The FREEDOM (Following Rehabilitation, Economics and Everyday-Dialysis Outcomes Measurements) Study. Am J Kidney Dis 2010;56:531-539.
7. Mapes D, et al. Health-related quality of life as a predictor of mortality and hospitalization: The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). Kidney International 2003;64;339–349 Elder SJ, et al. Sleep quality predicts quality of life and mortality risk in haemodialysis patients: Results from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). Nephrol Dial Transplant 2008;23;998–1004.
8. Unruh M, et al. Restless legs symptoms among incident dialysis patients: Association with lower quality of life and shorter survival. Am J Kidney Disease 2004;43:900-909 Spanner E, et al. The impact of quotidian hemodialysis on nutrition. Am J Kidney Dis 2003; 42 Supp 1: 30-35.
9. U.S. Renal Data System, USRDS 2011 Annual Data Report: Atlas of End-Stage Renal Disease in the United States