To examine how patient survival substantiates dialysis adequacy, 20-year actuarial survival experience was calculated for 445 unselected hemodialysis (HD) patients (97 patients accepted on a temporary basis--and usually kept on their regular dialysis scheme--were left out). The dose of dialysis has been the same and unchanged for all patients since beginning: 24 square meter hours of Kiil dialysis (cuprophane) per week with acetate buffered dialysate. KT/V mean (SD) was 1.67 (0.41). Six months after starting dialysis, 98% of patients were normotensive and off all blood pressure (BP) medication. The mean population hematocrit, excluding the only 6 patients receiving erythropoietin supplementation, was 28%. Survival rate was 87% at 5 years, 75% at 10 years, 55% at 15 years, and 43% at 20 years of HD. The satisfactory control of BP without using potentially toxic BP drugs and the higher than usual dose of dialysis are two possible explanations for survival data better than usually reported. We suggest that patient survival should be considered as the best overall index of adequacy of dialysis.

This study demonstrated a high level of circulating FGF-23 in LHD patients, despite infrequent hyperphosphataemia. However, phosphataemia is still the main factor correlating with serum FGF-23. The association of higher serum FGF-23 levels with mortality and VC, regardless of the serum phosphate levels, has thus been confirmed.

A plain radiological score showed the high prevalence (83%) of VCs in HD patients in spite of a long and intensive dialysis strategy and adherence to guidelines. The main associated factors were classic factors such as ageing and diabetes. No relationship was found with blood pressure and phosphataemia that remained well controlled in long dialysis; the association with FGF-23 serum levels may aggregate some non-traditional risk factors. The harmful effects of VCs on survival require their systematic assessment and optimization of the potentially modifiable associated factors in CKD and HD patients.

Unsatisfactory control of blood pressure (BP) leading to an increased rate of cardiovascular events is the main cause of mortality in haemodialysis. BP control has deteriorated since haemodialysis session times have been reduced. Inadequate BP control most often is due to a failure to achieve and maintain dry weight. Dry weight and normotension have been gradually omitted in the goals of dialysis, satisfactory dialysis being reduced to an 'adequate' urea Kt/V. Ideal dry body weight needs a reappraisal. What is dry weight? How should it be clinically assessed, established and maintained in patients? The problems encountered in estimating dry weight can be solved at the bedside in most cases. The additional laboratory, echography and impedancemetry methods are research tools that hopefully can be made simpler and lower in cost so they can be used everyday at the bedside. In the mean time, with the exception of ambulatory blood pressure measurement, one must rely on careful and repeated clinical observation to determine and maintain dry weight.

With a daily dose ranging from 10 to 30 microg, daily oral 25(OH)D(3) supplementation corrects most vitamin D deficiencies or insufficiencies in HD patients, without any evident toxicity. The main effects observed included correction of excessive bone turnover, despite less alfacalcidol administration, increase in serum albumin level and increase in the percentage of patients with serum calcium and phosphorus levels within the recommendation of the KDOQI guidelines.