The purpose of this study to conduct a pilot, randomized trial in stable HD patients to evaluate the effect of gradual, step-wise reduction of post-hemodialysis target weight, combined with diligent dietary sodium restriction and reduction in dialysate sodium exposure on hydration/volume status and blood pressure (BP) control.
Fluid-weight management is critical for dialysis patients 1, 2. Previous clinical trials have not comprehensively addressed the application of a strategy combining both sodium restriction and a progressive, but gradual challenge of post dialysis target weight for BP and fluid-weight management in hemodialysis (HD). The investigators postulate that a protocolized, stepwise and gradual challenge of post-hemodialysis target weight when combined with diligent dietary sodium restriction \<2000mg sodium/day, will lead to better hydration/volume status and BP control in HD patients. A randomized, two parallel arm trial (n=40) among HD patients is proposed, that compares this comprehensive strategy in one group versus 'usual' HD volume/hydration and BP management in the control group. The two primary outcomes are change in volume/hydration status (assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis-BIA) and change in BP (pre-dialysis in-center readings, home self-monitored readings as well as 44-hour interdialytic BP). Secondary outcomes include change in target post-dialysis weight, slope of on-line relative plasma volume monitoring (using Crit-line monitors), utilization and change, if any, in antihypertensive regimen, change in interdialytic weight gain, objectively assessed salt-appetite, thirst score, frequency of intradialytic hypotension, cramps and duration of post-dialysis fatigue and recovery, time to achievement of dry weight and laboratory parameters (hemoglobin, albumin, brain natriuretic peptide-BNP, aldosterone and hsCRP). The trial will be 14-weeks in duration and will involve comprehensive assessment of study parameters at baseline, middle and end of the trial. It is anticipated that the trial will lead to the the development of a simple and practical approach for volume and BP control in HD patients that will subsequently need to be studied on a larger scale, i.e., a larger, multicenter study with hard endpoints of death and hospitalization.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
1\. Lower sodium intervention: 1. Dietary sodium restriction of ≤2.0 g/day or ≤85 mmol/day (approximately \>180-200mmol/day in the average American diet). Sodium restriction will be implemented using intensive dietary counseling performed weekly by a registered study dietitian using the motivational interviewing technique. 2. Lower dialysate sodium at 137 mmol/L, if perchance a different concentration of dialysate is used for the enrolled individual, although this is unlikely in both the UM associated units, where for some time now, dialysate concentration of 137 mmol/L is currently being used as standard practice. Investigators will ensure that this sodium concentration is indeed used for all study participants.
The existing target post-HD weight will be progressively challenged by removing additional fluid in small increments, unless clinical evidence of volume depletion or hypotension precludes this challenge in the intervention arm. To avoid the occurrence of intradialytic hypotension, the ultrafiltration rate shall not exceed15 ml/kg/hour and post dialysis weight will not be reduced by more than 0.5 kg per dialysis session. In some patients, this may warrant prolongation of the treatment time to achieve lowering of target post dialysis weight, and this process of target weight reduction may need to continue up to and through the interim assessment phase (6-8 weeks).
University Dialysis Unit
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
University of Michigan Dialyisis Unit
Livonia, Michigan, United States
Blood Pressure
Change in blood pressure (pre-dialysis in-center blood pressure readings, ABPM and home BP monitoring)
Time frame: Pre-dialysis BP measure at Baseline, 6 Weeks and 12 weeks. ABPM measured at baseline and 12 Weeks. Home BP measure through out the 12week period on non-dialysis days
Post-dialysis Weight
Change in target post-dialysis weight
Time frame: 12weeks
Heart Rate
Change in heart rate
Time frame: 12 weeks
Plasma Volume
Slope of relative plasma volume monitoring
Time frame: 12 Weeks
Medication Use
Change in the utilization of antihypertensive medication ( number of medication and dose)
Time frame: 12 Weeks
Interdialytic Weight gain
Change in the mid-week interdialytic weight gain
Time frame: 12 Weeks
Intradialytic Hypotension
Frequency of intradialytic hypotension; defined as drop in systolic blood pressure associated with symptoms suggestive of low blood pressure such as lightheadedness, dizziness, sweating, etc., or decrease in intradialytic systolic blood pressure to less than 90 mmHg.
Time frame: 12 Weeks
Salt Appetite
A measure of salt taste impairment and preference
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Time frame: Baseline, 6 week and 12 week
Thirst Score
A measure of general thirst.
Time frame: Baseline, 6 week, 12 weeks
Post-dialysis fatigue
A measure of post-dialysis fatigue and recovery after each treatment session
Time frame: Baseline, 6 Weeks & 12 Weeks
Routine Labs
o Routine labs including CBC, renal panel, hsCRP and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Interdialytic urine collection for residual renal function (urea and creatinine clearance) estimation will be made. Blood and urine samples will be archived for later analysis for biomarkers such as asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), plasma aldosterone, and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), respectively
Time frame: Baseline and 12Week
True Dry Weight
Time to achievement of true 'dry weight' (in the intervention arm only)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Hydration Status
Change in hydration status, as measured by BIA, using whole body and segmental techniques.
Time frame: 12 weeks