Implications of the frequent hemodialysis network-daily trial

Despite many years of experience with hemodialysis, the outcomes of maintenance dialysis patients remain poor. The Frequent Hemodialysis Network-Daily (FHN-Daily) Trial found that six times per week in-center short hemodialysis decreased left ventricular mass and improved self-reported physical functioning over a 1-year intervention period compared with conventional thrice-weekly dialysis. Despite the promising results, caution is needed in the projection of these intermediate outcomes to hard clinical endpoints, such as cardiovascular events and death. Published 2011. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.