Online Conductivity Monitoring, despite underestimating hemodialysis adequacy: Still a reliable practical tool

Adequately delivered hemodialysis dose has been shown to have a distinct impact upon the morbidity and mortality of patients on chronic dialysis therapy. Online conductivity monitoring (OCM) using sodium flux as a surrogate for urea allows for repeated measurement of hemodialysis adequacy in each treatment session. In this cross-sectional study، 156 treatment sessions in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis were assessed by measurement of the conductivity performed by Diascan in AK 96 dialysis machines. Dialysis adequacy was measured by daugirdas logarithmic estimates of single-pool Kt/V. Values of calculated Kt/V and simultaneously obtained online Kt/V were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using paired sample t-test. There was a statistically significant difference between calculated Kt/V and online Kt/V in this study. The mean calculated Kt/V was 1. 1±0. 18 and mean online Kt/V was 0. 77±0. 32 (p<0. 001). There was a moderate correlation between calculated Sp Kt/V and on-line Kt/V (r =0. 44، p=0. 012). Despite the underestimation of hemodialysis adequacy by online conductivity monitoring in comparison with Sp Kt/V، it is a useful tool in clinical practice.