[en] The effect of hemodialysis (acetate buffer) or hemofiltration on blood pressure, heart rate, peripheral vascular resistances, red blood cells ionic fluxes, and plasma natriuretic activity has
been studied in six male patients treated for end-stage renal disease. The hemodynamic
response to these two modes of treatment markedly differs. Whereas, peripheral resistances
increase and heart rate is not affected during hemofiltration , a decrease in blood pressure,
tachycardia, and vasodilation is observed during hemodialysis. However , in both therapeutic
approaches, red blood cell ouabain-sensitive sodium-potassium pump activity increases in a
similar way, and the plasmatic natriuretic activity decreases, whereas the vascular response to
norepinephrine is reduced. All of these changes were strongly correlated to the amount of
fluid removed. The natriuretic activity may thus play a role in the regulation of blood pressure
and hemodynamic adjustments to fluid removal in chronic renal failure between two dialyses,
but its action is not predominent during the dialysis session itself.
