HD · PD · CRRT · Access Care · GCC Context
For Registered Nurses — Gulf Cooperation Council Healthcare Settings| Type | Key Points |
|---|---|
| AVF | Native fistula; gold standard. Maturation 6–8 weeks. Longest survival. |
| AVG | Synthetic graft; usable in 2–4 weeks. Higher infection/thrombosis risk. |
| Tunnelled CVC / Permcath | Immediate use. Highest infection risk. Last resort for long-term. |
| Non-tunnelled CVC | Short-term/acute only. <3 weeks maximum. |
Two main approaches for AVF cannulation:
| Electrolyte | Standard Range | Clinical Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sodium (Na⁺) | 138–145 mmol/L | Low Na ↑ cramps; High Na ↑ thirst/HTN |
| Potassium (K⁺) | 2.0–3.0 mmol/L | Adjust for pre-dialysis K⁺ levels |
| Calcium (Ca²⁺) | 1.25–1.5 mmol/L | Low for hypercalcaemia patients |
| Bicarbonate | 32–38 mmol/L | Corrects metabolic acidosis |
| Magnesium (Mg²⁺) | 0.5–0.75 mmol/L | Contributes to cramp prevention |
| Glucose | 5.5–11 mmol/L | Avoid hypoglycaemia in diabetics |
Immediate Management Steps
Prevention Strategies
Prevention
| Type | Onset | Features | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type A (Anaphylactic) | First 5–30 min | Bronchospasm, urticaria, angioedema, hypotension, cardiac arrest | Stop — do NOT return blood. Adrenaline/antihistamine/steroids. Emergency call. |
| Type B | 30–60 min | Chest/back pain, nausea — milder. No anaphylaxis. | Continue at reduced Qb; O₂; symptom relief; investigate cause. |
| Feature | CAPD | APD (Nocturnal Cycler) |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Continuous Ambulatory PD | Automated PD / NIPD / CCPD |
| Exchanges | 3–5 manual exchanges/day | Machine-driven; 3–5 at night |
| Dwell time | 4–6 hrs (day), 8–10 hrs (night) | Short dwells overnight (1–2 hrs) |
| Lifestyle | Manual; no machine needed at night | Machine at bedside; frees daytime |
| Suitability | High/high-average transporters | Low/low-average transporters |
| Peritonitis risk | Slightly higher (more connect/disconnect) | Fewer daily connections |
Nursing Actions
| Transport Type | D/P Creatinine Ratio | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| High | > 0.81 | Rapid absorption of glucose → short dwells better (APD); UF failure risk |
| High-Average | 0.65–0.81 | Good solute clearance |
| Low-Average | 0.50–0.65 | Longer dwell times improve clearance |
| Low | < 0.50 | Poor clearance — consider HD transfer |
Continuous Veno-Venous Haemofiltration
Convection only — solute drag via replacement fluid. Best for fluid/middle-molecule removal.
Continuous Veno-Venous Haemodialysis
Diffusion only — dialysate flow counter-current to blood. Best for small solute (urea/K⁺) clearance.
Continuous Veno-Venous Haemodiafiltration
Diffusion + Convection combined. Most effective broad-spectrum clearance. Most common ICU mode.
| Parameter | Systemic Heparin | Regional Citrate |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Anti-thrombin III activation; systemic effect | Chelates ionised Ca²⁺ in circuit — regional only |
| Target (Heparin) | aPTT 45–65 sec (circuit); 45–60 sec (systemic) | — |
| Post-filter iCa | — | 0.25–0.35 mmol/L (circuit anticoagulated) |
| Systemic iCa | — | 1.0–1.2 mmol/L (calcium replacement infusion) |
| Monitoring | aPTT 4–6 hourly; platelet count | iCa pre/post-filter; serum total Ca/citrate ratio |
| Contraindications | HIT, active bleeding, thrombocytopaenia | Severe liver failure (citrate accumulation risk) |
| Citrate Toxicity Signs | — | ↑ total Ca but ↓ ionised Ca; metabolic alkalosis, tetany |
| Preferred | If liver failure / no HIT risk | First-line in most ICUs (KDIGO 2012) |
Reasons for Premature Filter Clotting
| Drug | CRRT Adjustment | Monitoring |
|---|---|---|
| Vancomycin | Loading dose 25 mg/kg; then 7.5–15 mg/kg q12h (dose depends on effluent rate) | Trough AUC-guided; target AUC 400–600 |
| Meropenem | 1 g q8h or 2 g q8h extended infusion for resistant organisms | Clinical response; β-lactam TDM if available |
| Piperacillin-Tazobactam | 4.5 g q8h extended infusion (4-hr) | Clinical response |
| Linezolid | Standard 600 mg q12h — minimal CRRT removal | Platelet count (thrombocytopaenia) |
| Fluconazole | 400–800 mg q24h (highly removed by CRRT) | Clinical/microbiological response |
Criteria to Transition CRRT → IHD
| Parameter | Heparin Lock | 4% Citrate Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration | 5,000 U/mL or 1,000 U/mL | 4% sodium citrate |
| Infection risk | Higher (promotes biofilm) | Lower (antibiofilm + antimicrobial) |
| Bleeding risk | Systemic if accidental flush | Minimal systemic effect |
| Halal consideration | Porcine-derived (see GCC tab) | No animal product concern |
| Volume | Fill dead space only (1.3–1.5 mL/lumen) | Same — fill dead space only |
| Flush before use | Aspirate and discard before dialysis | Aspirate and discard before dialysis |
| Country | Regulator | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | DHA (Dubai Health Authority) | DHA-licensed dialysis centres; nurse registration required |
| Abu Dhabi | DOH (formerly HAAD) | Thiqa insurance covers dialysis; DOH standards enforced |
| Saudi Arabia | MOH / CBAHI accreditation | Largest GCC ESKD burden; national kidney programme (SCOT) |
| Qatar | MOPH / JHCMQ accreditation | Hamad Medical Corporation runs main renal services |
| Kuwait | MOH Kuwait | Significant expatriate dialysis population |
| Bahrain | NHRA | Small programme; some patients travel regionally |
| Oman | MOH Oman | National Renal Care Programme; expanding peritoneal dialysis |
| Topic | Key Message (Arabic Cultural Context) |
|---|---|
| Fluid restriction | 500 mL/day + residual urine output. Explain consequences of weight gain — heart failure, difficult dialysis. Use visual tools (marked cups). |
| Potassium | Avoid: dates (large quantities), dried fruits, nuts, tomato, potato. Boil vegetables in excess water — discards potassium. |
| Phosphate | Limit dairy, cola drinks, processed foods, seeds. Phosphate binders must be taken with meals — not after. |
| Salt restriction | Reduces thirst → easier fluid control. Arabic cooking can be high in salt — practical recipe adaptations. |
| Ramadan | Discuss modified dietary plan; manage expectations; celebrate patient's faith while protecting health. |
| Missed sessions | Each missed session increases risk of life-threatening hyperkalaemia; use empathetic language, not threats. |