title: Enhancing hemodialysis efficacy through neuromuscular stimulation.
abstract: Beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring was used to assess the efficacy of reflex-mediated, calf muscle pump stimulation to enhance cardiovascular refilling in subjects in the supine and seated positions, with extension of this stimulation technology to dialysis evaluated in 2 dialysis patients. Micromechanical stimulation (50 mum at 45 Hz) of the plantar surface was found to significantly increase both the rate and volume of cardiovascular refilling relative to that observed for subjects in the supine position. During hemodialysis, calf muscle pump stimulation permitted significantly increased ultrafiltrate removal, specifically from 78 to 96% of clinical goal, while serving to maintain both blood pressure and blood volume.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Science and Engineering Research Center, State University of New York, Binghamton, N.Y., USA.
authors.forename: Guruprasad
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Madhavan
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Nemcek
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: McLeod
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001810:Blood Volume; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011187:Posture; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods*; D016683:Supine Position