Gambro hosted a symposium at the 47 ERA-EDTA Congress in Munich presenting results from the 2009 survey “Dialysis Opinions – Facilitating dialysis delivery”

The majority of the respondents expressed a need for dialysis equipment that is able to take over a number of the highly important but time-consuming activities required for the individualization of the dialysis treatment. For example, treatment parameters that can be automatically controlled to reach the targeted dose at the end of the session, such as a Kt/V or Kt value; or blood volume changes that can be controlled through biofeedback to better preserve hemodynamic stability.

The respondents also expressed a desire to let the dialysis machine control the entire process of blood purification, hemodynamics and physiology through advanced biofeedback technology. To allow more patients to perform self-care dialysis - a mode of therapy that is connected with improved outcomes - a plug and play connection of dialyzer and bloodlines, would be a highly appreciated feature.  

The Dialysis Opinion surveys have been conducted annually at major nephrology and dialysis congresses since 1992. Each year a different theme is addressed, with an underlying focus on missing or weak evidence and lack of consensus, according to background information provided by Gambro. A questionnaire entitled “Facilitating dialysis delivery” was designed and distributed at major nephrology congresses during 2009 and responses from 3,590 international nephrology professionals were collected.