Decreasing Dialysis Cardiovascular Risk: Daily Versus Longer Treatments

Given the known increased risk of heart disease in hemodialysis patients, this study aims to evaluate the change in both size and function of the heart by using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients undergoing either daily long (4 hours, 6 times weekly), daily short (2 hours 6 times weekly), or alternate day conventional (4 hours, 3 times weekly) and alternate day long (8 hours, 3 times weekly) dialysis for 6 months from randomization. The patients are randomly put in the groups based on predetermined randomization schedule and the cardiologist trained in cardiac MRI readings is blinded to the patient treatment schedule. Given that changes in heart function may be seen with cardiac imaging techniques within 6 months, the expectation is that groups on daily treatment may have better outcome for this parameter as changes in volume and blood pressure may also be affected in a positive way in patients on daily dialysis.