title: What is single needle cannulation hemodialysis: is it adequate?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is important to know the relative clearances obtained when using single-needle versus double-needle cannulation techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve hemodialysis treatments were conducted using a machine that is capable of single-needle as well as double-needle cannulation. Single-needle and double-needle blood flow rates, as well as urea clearance, were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The measured blood flow rates were 368 ± 11 ml/min, 294 ± 4 ml/min, 200 ± 0 ml/min, and 100 ± 0 ml/min during double-needle hemodialysis and were 201 ± 10.9 ml/min, 173 ± 44.9 ml/min, 103 ± 4.1 ml/min, and 45 ± 4.9 ml/min during single-needle hemodialysis. The hemodialysis urea clearances at similar blood flow rate (approximately 200 ml/min) were 167 ± 4 ml/min and 161 ± 9 ml/min (paired t test; p > 0.05), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The measured blood flow rates and urea clearances during single-needle hemodialysis were approximately half of the measured blood flow rate during double-needle hemodialysis, and should be used in selected settings.
authors.affiliation: Western University and London Health Sciences Centre, Department of Medicine, Nephrology Division, London, Ont., Canada.
authors.forename: Shih-Han S
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Sachin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Benjamin K A
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laporte
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Filler
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Lindsay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D015314:Dialysis Solutions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015314:Dialysis Solutions; D014508:Urea