Short dialysis schedules (SDS)--finally ready to become routine?

One hundred and one patients were treated for up to two years for three hours every other day (10.5 hr/week), or four hours thrice-weekly with conventional disposable 1m2 dialysers have been investigated. Rigorous control of water balance and the maintenance of predialysis serum K and PO4 within normal limits were the main criteria for judging the adequacy of the treatment. The results regarding blood pressure, phosphate problems, haematocrit, peripheral nerve status, pericarditis and range of rehabilitation are discussed.