Assessment and management of emergencies during haemodialysis

The haemodialysis unit is a complex clinical environment. Medical emergencies complicating haemodialysis treatment are relatively infrequent but are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The management of intradialytic emergencies is challenging and relevant to the practice of all nephrology and critical care clinicians. There are no dedicated resuscitation guidelines for this unique patient population. This review article provides an outline of the assessment and treatment of important intradialytic emergencies (hypotension, hypertension, haemorrhage, hypoxia, neurologic disturbances, cardiac arrest) based on the best available evidence.