A Comparison of the Effects of Conventional and Nocturnal Hemodialysis on the Inflammatory Response of Chronic Renal Failure

Patients treated with conventional hemodialysis for at least 3 months and interested in learning home nocturnal hemodialysis will be screened in the Rockefeller Outpatient Research Center. If eligible, during the first 8 day hospital stay, participants will receive a standard diet and dialysis treatment nearby at the Rogosin Institute Dialysis Center. During the last 2 days, their blood will be frequently sampled for cytokines, fats and sugar. Dialysate will also be sampled. They will have the same diet and tests repeated during a second admission after either 4 months of conventional dialysis or 1 month training for nocturnal dialysis followed by 3 months of home nocturnal dialysis (randomized 1:1). After the second admission, patients treated with conventional dialysis will be discharged from the study and trained in nocturnal hemodialysis. Off-site computer monitoring will be utilized when patients dialyze themselves at home or during the admission in The Rockefeller University Hospital.