What Are the Functions of an Artificial Kidney?

by Abraham Robinson

Overview

Artificial kidney is a colloquial name for a hemodialysis machine. In someone who has suffered kidney failure, an artificial kidney filters the blood, preforming the function that the patient's kidneys cannot.
Function

One of the most important functions of the kidneys is the filtering of unwanted chemicals and excess water from your blood. An artificial kidney uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove these. Excess water and chemicals pass through the membrane, but other parts of the blood, such as blood cells, do not.

Dialysis Solution

The artificial kidney uses a solution called dialysate to help remove harmful chemicals from the blood by absorbing them. The exact composition of the dialysate will be determined by your doctor.
Setup

A tube will be connected from a vein in your arm to the artificial kidney to draw blood from your body through the machine. Another tube in your arm will return the filtered blood to your body.
Use

In most cases in which an artificial kidney is necessary, you will have to go to a treatment center for around three to five hours, three times a week. It is important to keep a strict schedule, because missing an appointment can be deadly.
Side Effects

Because the use of an artificial kidney involves removing fluid from the body, it can result in dehydration, causing low blood pressure, fatigue, nausea and headaches. It is also possible that hemodialysis can result in infection, but careful use of the equipment can minimize this risk.