Effect of Fludrocortisone on Intradialytic Hypotension: An Open-Label, Randomized, Crossover Study

INTRODUCTION: Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is an important complication during chronic hemodialysis due to its adverse cardiovascular and hemodialysis outcomes. Case reports have demonstrated that administration of fludrocortisone before undergoing hemodialysis might increase intradialytic blood pressure. This study is a randomized crossover study aiming to evaluate the intradialytic hemodynamic effects of fludrocortisone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized, controlled two-period crossover trial was conducted at Lampang Hospital in stable chronic hemodialysis patients who experienced IDH >30% in their sessions during the past 3 months. All participants have randomly received a single dose of 0.2-mg fludrocortisone 30 min before each hemodialysis session, or had no treatment for 4 weeks. After a 2-week washout period, the participants were then switched to the other treatment for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was the mean lowest intradialytic mean arterial pressure (MAP) during the hemodialysis session. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients were recruited with a mean age of 61.7 ± 14.8 years. By analysis of crossover design, the mean lowest intradialytic MAP was not different between receiving fludrocortisone or with no treatment (76.1 ± 12.5 vs. 73.9 ± 11.5 mm Hg, p for treatment effect = 0.331, p for period effect = 0.855, p for sequence effect = 0.870). There was no difference in the incidence of IDH between the two groups (34.4% in fludrocortisone vs. 42.7% in no treatment, p = 0.137). However, in diabetic patients and patients with residual kidney function, the incidence of IDH was significantly lower when receiving fludrocortisone (30.8 vs. 52.6%, p < 0.001, and 27.6 vs. 74.3%, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In chronic hemodialysis patients who had IDH, fludrocortisone administration did not improve intradialytic hemodynamics and did not decrease the incidence of IDH.