Hemodialysis-related emergencies--Part 1.

Hemodialysis patients are seen in the emergency department much more frequently than their relatively small number would suggest. Many pitfalls attend the management of these patients, in whom there is a high potential for serious morbidity and mortality. This article outlines the principles of emergency department management of hemodialysis patients and describes the approach to the diagnosis and treatment of their most common presenting problems. Many of these are related to the hemodialysis procedure itself or to underlying chronic renal failure. Special attention is given to the problems of the vascular access, the hemodialysis patient's lifeline. The indications for emergent dialysis are discussed, as well as the temporizing measures available to the emergency physician while awaiting institution of dialysis.