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Dialysate Sodium Lowering Trial

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Hemodialysis Complication
Fluid Overload
Dialysis Disequilibrium
Intra-dialytic Hypotension
Hypertension
Interventions
Other: Dialysate Sodium Lowering
Registration Number
NCT03144817
Lead Sponsor
Tufts Medical Center
Brief Summary

This is a pilot randomized clinical trial in which patients treated with 3X per weekly conventional hemodialysis will be treated to a dialysate sodium 135 mEq/L vs. 138 mEq/L and followed for safety and tolerability, effects on BP and volume.

Detailed Description

This is a pilot randomized clinical trial in which hypertensive hemodialysis patients will be randomized to a low dialysate sodium (Na) of 135 mEq/L or a standard dialysate Na of 138 mEq/L. Patients will be randomized 2:1 to the low arm. Dialysate Na will be lowered 1 mEq/L every 2 weeks, as tolerated. Tolerance will be assessed by symptoms, intradialytic hypotension (IDH) episodes (systolic BP \<90 or intervention for symptoms or BP drop during dialysis), achievement of dry weight. The trial will last for 6 to 12 months, for an individual, depending on when they entered the trial. The primary outcome is feasibility and safety of using the lower dialysate sodium which is assessed by symptoms during or immediately after dialysis, intradialytic hypotension episodes and the frequency of emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Several secondary outcomes will be measured including blood pressure prior to dialysis and at home, change in plasma Na over time, dry weight, post-dialysis weight, interdialytic weight change, symptoms of thirst and dry mouth, self-reported dialysis recovery time, relative blood volume change during a single treatment (via 'Critline') and, in patients without an implanted electronic device, extraceullular fluid volume (via bioimpedance).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
44
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age >18 years
  • Patients undergoing thrice weekly in-center conventional HD
  • At least 90 days since start of hemodialysis
  • Absence of pulmonary edema / signs of fluid overload on physical exam
  • Currently dialyzing at a DNa >=137 mEq/L
  • Single session Kt/V >=1.3 each month for the past 2 months
  • Hypertensive, defined by a pre-dialysis BP of >140/90 or treatment with 1 or more antihypertensive agents
  • No more than 1 skipped treatment and no more than 1 session per month shortened by >10 min
  • Life expectancy >12 months
  • Able to provide Informed Consent
  • Speaks and understands English
Exclusion Criteria
  • Prone to IDH, defined as IDH occurring in >10% of treatments in the past 3 months. IDH will be defined as symptoms (e.g. cramps, dizziness, loss of consciousness) and/or intra- or post-dialytic systolic BP <90 mm Hg and/or use of intervention(s) (UF goal lowered, treatment stopped early, or saline given) because of IDH
  • Pregnancy

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention GroupDialysate Sodium LoweringIntervention group will dialyze with dialysate Na 135 mEq/L.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Frequency of Intradialytic HypotensionBaseline period through study completion, an average of 6 months

IDH is determined by review of blood pressures (measured every 30 minutes during dialysis), symptoms (recorded by the nurse during the dialysis treatment and reviewed at Q2 weekly face to face visits by the study team) and the need for intervention (targeted ultrafiltration goal was reduced; treatment was terminated early or saline given for intradialytic hypotension. IDH is defined by any 1 (or more of the following) 1) lowest intradialytic Systolic BP \<90 mm Hg or 2) intradialytic symptoms (cramps, lightheadedness, nausea +/-vomiting, diaphoresis, loss of consciousness or seizure) OR 3) intervention performed for symptoms of IDH or lowest intradialytic BP \<90 mm Hg.

The # IDH events (meeting 1 or more of the 3 criteria above) per 100 treatments will be compared across treatment arms.

Frequency of ER visits and hospitalizations (safety)Baseline through study completion

The frequency of ER visits and hospitalizations will be ascertained at Q2 weekly study visits. The # of events per time at risk will be compared across treatment arms.

Frequency of patients treated to a dialysate Na 135 mEq/L at end of study (feasibility)Last 2 weeks of Follow-up

Among those assigned to Dialysate Na 135 mEq/l as the denominator, the # actually continuing to dialyze at this level during the last two weeks of study follow-up.

Dialysis Dysequilibrium (Safety)Baseline period through study completion, an average of 6 months

Ascertained via self-report on a questionnaire that asks about the frequency of symptoms suggestive of DD occurring during or immediately after dialysis. The symptoms are: headache, nausea +/- vomiting, confusion, drowsiness, muscle twitching, blurred vision. There are 5 response options ranging from never through to very often for each question. The questionnaire is administered at baseline, at 6 weeks, and Q3 months thereafter. The change in frequency of each symptom will be compared across arms.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pre- and post-dialysis Plasma SodiumBaseline period through study completion, an average of 6 months

Taken from lab draws immediately before and after start of dialysis treatment.

Relative Blood VolumeBaseline period through study completion, an average of 6 months

Determined using CRIT LINE III monitors.

Bioimpedance AnalysisBaseline period through study completion, an average of 6 months

Water volume and bioimpedance results will be determined using InBodyS10 device.

Dialysate SodiumBaseline period through study completion, an average of 6 months

Sample of dialysate sodium taken 30 minutes after start of dialysis treatment.

Post Dialysis WeightBaseline period through study completion, an average of 6 months

Determined by analysis of treatment sheets.

Estimated Dry WeightBaseline period through study completion, an average of 6 months

Determined by analysis of treatment sheets.

Thirst and XerostomiaBaseline through study completion, an average of 6 months

Thirst and Xerostomia will be measured via validated, self-administered questionnaires, the 'Dialysis Thirst Inventory' and the 'Xerostomia Inventory' , respectively (BotsCP et al, Kidney International:66; 2004).

Change in each inventory score from baseline to the end of the study will be compared by treatment arm.

Interdialytic Weight GainBaseline period through study completion, an average of 6 months

Determined by analysis of treatment sheets.

Pre- and Post-dialysis Sitting Blood PressureBaseline period through study completion, an average of 6 months

Determined by analysis of treatment sheets.

Home Blood Pressure MonitoringBaseline period through study completion, an average of 6 months

Participants will use a LifeSource blood pressure monitor to measure their blood pressure weekly at home.

Sodium Loss during DialysisBaseline period through study completion, an average of 6 months

Calculated according to the formula: pre-dialysis total body Na - post-dialysis total body Na, where the volume of distribution in the extracellular space is estimated as 0.58\*target weight.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

DCI Boston

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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