PURPOSE
This study utilized a randomized block-design for the purpose of studying the effect of dialysate temperature on blood pressure (BP), core temperature, and physical symptoms in hemodialysis patients. The sample was thirty-one patients undergoing hemodialysis assigned to one of three groups. were divided into 3 groups.
METHODS
Repeated analysis of variance to number of hypotension occurrences, core temperature changes, and physical symptoms at cool dialysis with dialysate of 35.5℃, standard dialysis with dialysate of 36.5℃ and isothermic dialysis based on blood temperature feedback monitor (BTM). Each of the three groups underwent hemodialysis six times at a specific dialysate temperature.
RESULTS
The number of hypotension events were 21 at cool dialysis, 47 at standard dialysis, and 27 at isothermic dialysis, occurrences under cool dialysis were less frequent than under standard dialysis (F=8.08, p=.002). The patients' core temperature increased by 0.07℃ at cool dialysis, 0.21℃ at standard dialysis, and 0.18℃ at isothermic dialysis, cool dialysis showed a significantly smaller increase in core temperature (F=17.76, p < .001). There was no difference in the incidence of physical symptoms related to dialysate temperatures (F=2.04, p=.146).
CONCLUSION
Cool dialysis resulted in a significant prevention of the increase in core temperature and was more effective than standard dialysis in preventing hypotension. Isothermic dialysis had no positive effects in preventing the increase in core temperature or occurrences of hypotension.