Influence of fluid removal during haemodialysis on macro- and skin microcirculation. Haemodynamic pathophysiologic study of fluid removal during haemodialysis.

Changes of macro- and microcirculation during haemodialysis and fluid removal are probably dependent on ultimate fluid status and on the efficacy of various regulation mechanisms, especially the catecholamines. This was studied in 20 chronic dialysis patients. Pre- and postdialysis stroke volume, mean arterial pressure, heart rate and systemic vascular resistance were measured. Furthermore, microcirculation was studied by Laser Doppler flow and by intravital microscopy of finger nail fold, measuring red blood cell velocity and capillary density. Pre- and postdialysis noradrenaline and adrenaline were measured. Nine patients proved to be hypovolaemic after dialysis (group I) and 11 patients proved to be normovolaemic or less hypervolaemic (group II) according to vena cava inferior parameters. There was a significant decrease of mean arterial pressure and stroke volume in group I, and an increase of heart rate, whereas in group II there was only a decrease of mean arterial pressure. Systemic vascular resistance did not change in both groups. Noradrenaline decreased although not significantly in both groups, whereas in group I adrenaline increased significantly. There was a significant decrease of skin perfusion in group I, whereas in group II there was a significant increase. Capillary density increased significantly in group II after reaching normovolaemia. Underhydration was leading to a decrease of skin microcirculation on the basis of a decrease of stroke volume and an increase of adrenaline levels. In hypervolaemic patients, who were ultrafiltrated to normovolaemia, skin microcirculation improved on the basis of a decrease of arterial and venous pressure and consequently a decrease of the myogenic response as a local autoregulatory effect.