Special treatment for patients with chronic kidney failure indicates significantly improved patient survival

Using Online Hemodiafiltration (HDF) to treat patients with chronic kidney failure can lead to a significantly lower risk of mortality compared to treatment with standard hemodialysis. A study has just been presented during the European Dialysis and Transplantation Association (EDTA) / European Renal Association (ERA) Congress in Istanbul and shows that the mortality rate among patients that received Online-HDF treatment was 35% lower than that of patients receiving conventional hemodialysis therapy. Data were gathered over a one-year period from more than 2,500 patients in 56 European dialysis clinics of Fresenius Medical Care.

The study provides substantial scientific evidence that the treatment method can significantly reduce the mortality of patients with chronic renal failure. Following the positive results, Fresenius Medical Care now expects an increase in demand for online-HDF, which is already considered the best possible treatment because of its ability to remove a wider range of toxins from the blood of patients with chronic kidney failure. Fresenius Medical Care offers Online-HDF since 1996 through a module for the 4008 dialysis machine and is now included as standard equipment in the new 5008 therapy system, which was launched in Istanbul.

"Online-HDF is gradually establishing itself as an advanced and innovative treatment modality in dialysis. It significantly improves life expectancy and the quality of life of patients," said Emanuele Gatti, Fresenius Medical Care Management Board Member for Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa.