Standardized Kt/V

Standardized Kt/V is a dimensionless value used in medicine to quantify the efficacy of a hemodialysis treatment. It is calculated using the formula Kt/V, where K is the dialyzer clearance, t is the dialysis time, and V is the volume of distribution of urea. The standardized Kt/V is a more accurate measure as it takes into account the patient's total body water and the frequency of dialysis treatments.

Overview

The Standardized Kt/V is a measure of the efficacy of a hemodialysis treatment. It is calculated using the formula Kt/V, where K is the dialyzer clearance, t is the dialysis time, and V is the volume of distribution of urea. The standardized Kt/V is a more accurate measure as it takes into account the patient's total body water and the frequency of dialysis treatments.

Calculation

The calculation of the standardized Kt/V involves several steps. First, the dialyzer clearance (K) is determined. This is the rate at which the dialyzer can remove urea from the blood. Next, the dialysis time (t) is factored in. This is the length of time the patient spends on the dialysis machine. Finally, the volume of distribution of urea (V) is calculated. This is the volume of fluid in the body that urea is distributed in.

The formula for the standardized Kt/V is:

Kt/V = (K * t) / V

Clinical Significance

The standardized Kt/V is used to assess the adequacy of a hemodialysis treatment. A higher Kt/V indicates a more effective treatment. The recommended minimum Kt/V for a single hemodialysis session is 1.2.

See Also

• Hemodialysis
• Urea
• Dialyzer

References

• Daugirdas JT. Second generation logarithmic estimates of single-pool variable volume Kt/V: an analysis of error. J Am Soc Nephrol. 1993;4(5):1205-1213.
• Gotch FA, Sargent JA. A mechanistic analysis of the National Cooperative Dialysis Study (NCDS). Kidney Int. 1985;28(3):526-534.

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