Treatment of hyperphosphatemia with sevelamer hydrochloride in hemodialysis patients: a comparison with calcium acetate.

BACKGROUND: Sevelamer hydrochloride is a recently approved calcium- and aluminium-free phosphate binder. A randomized study comparing sevelamer and calcium acetate was performed to assess the control of hyperphosphatemia in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS: Administration of phosphate binders was discontinued during a two-week washout period. The patients were then randomized to receive sevelamer or calcium acetate. The laboratory tests were performed monthly for 34 weeks.

RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease of serum phosphorus in both sevelamer and calcium acetate treatments. In addition, sevelamer improved the lipid profile.

CONCLUSION: This study confirms that sevelamer is effective at lowering serum phosphorus in hemodialysis patients and that it has several striking properties that could be beneficial in atherosclerosis in dialysis patients.