Table: Some Common Complications of Hemodialysis - Merck Manuals Consumer Version

Some Common Complications of Hemodialysis

Complication	Usual Cause
Fever Fever in Adults Fever is an elevated body temperature that occurs when the body's thermostat (located in the hypothalamus in the brain) resets at a higher temperature, primarily in response to an infection... read more	Bacteria or fever-causing substances (pyrogens) in the bloodstream Overheated dialysate
Life-threatening allergic reaction Anaphylactic Reactions Anaphylactic reactions are sudden, widespread, potentially severe and life-threatening allergic reactions. Anaphylactic reactions often begin with a feeling of uneasiness, followed by tingling... read more (anaphylaxis)	Allergy to a substance in the dialyzer or the tubing that carries blood or to drugs given during dialysis
Low blood pressure Low Blood Pressure Low blood pressure is blood pressure low enough to cause symptoms such as dizziness and fainting. Very low blood pressure can cause damage to organs, a process called shock. Various drugs and... read more	Removal of too much fluid
Abnormal heart rhythms Overview of Abnormal Heart Rhythms Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) are sequences of heartbeats that are irregular, too fast, too slow, or conducted via an abnormal electrical pathway through the heart. Heart disorders are... read more	Abnormal levels of potassium and other substances in the blood Low blood pressure
Air embolus Unusual types of emboli Pulmonary embolism is the blocking of an artery of the lung (pulmonary artery) by a collection of solid material brought through the bloodstream (embolus)—usually a blood clot (thrombus) or... read more	Air entering the tubing that carries blood
Bleeding in the intestine Gastrointestinal Bleeding Bleeding may occur anywhere along the digestive (gastrointestinal [GI]) tract, from the mouth to the anus. Blood may be easily seen by the naked eye (overt), or blood may be present in amounts... read more , brain Intracerebral Hemorrhage An intracerebral hemorrhage is bleeding within the brain. Intracerebral hemorrhage usually results from chronic high blood pressure. The first symptom is often a severe headache. Diagnosis is... read more , eyes, or abdomen	Use of too much heparin to prevent clotting in the dialyzer
Infection Urinary tract infections People who are admitted to the hospital are at risk of acquiring an infection there. Such infections are called nosocomial infections. In the United States, about 4-5% of people who are hospitalized... read more	Bacteria entering the bloodstream through a needle inserted into veins for hemodialysis access
Muscle cramps Muscle Cramps A cramp is a sudden, brief, unintended (involuntary), and usually painful contraction of a muscle or group of muscles. Muscle cramps can be a symptom of nervous system malfunction. The most... read more	Possibly rapid changes in the amount or distribution of body fluids or salts