The efficacy and safety of low dialysate sodium levels for patients with maintenance haemodialysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Xinghua Geng, Yuzhi Song, Bingjie Hou, Yajie Ma, Ye Wang
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIM: Fluid overload and hypertension frequently results in cardiovascular disease, which is one of the leading causes of death in dialysis patients. It is plausible that low dialysate [Na+] may decrease total body sodium content, thereby reducing fluid overload and hypertension, and ultimately reducing cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. This meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using a low (<138 mM) dialysate [Na+] for maintenance haemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science up to August 22, 2019. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), both parallel and cross-over, of low (<138 mM) versus neutral (138-140 mM) or high (>140 mM) dialysate [Na+] for maintenance HD patients were included. Mean difference (MD), risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) values were estimated to compare the outcomes. Two reviewers extracted data and assessed trial quality independently. All statistical analyses were performed using the standard statistical procedures of RevMan 5.2. RESULTS: ] in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: ] significantly, it also indicated that low dialysate [Na+] could increase the incidence of intradialytic hypotension and intradialytic cramps events. Considering the contradiction in efficacy and safety of low dialysate [Na+] in our analysis, future larger and up-to-date definitive studies are needed to evaluate the medium to long-term effects of low sodium levels in dialysis fluid, and better inform clinical practice.