Hemodiafiltration poised to set new standard of care for US dialysis

Key takeaways:

Fresenius Medical Care received FDA 510(k) approval on its 5008X dialysis system.

Expected rollout for selected early-stage clinics will likely begin this fall.

Hemodiafiltration goes a step beyond hemodialysis to improve outcomes in kidney disease. But while the technology is becoming a global benchmark, it is not the norm for U.S. health care.

That may change in the next year.

Hemodiafiltration combines hemodialysis and hemofiltration using sterile, nonpyrogenic substitution fluid. The procedure combines diffusion and convection to remove middle-molecular weight uremic toxins, whereas standard hemodialysis relies on diffusion alone.

“Hemodiafiltration results in more effective removal of middle molecules, which may contribute to inflammation, cardiovascular damage an