Effects of Dialysate Acidification With Citrate Versus Acetate on Cell Damage, Uremic Toxin Levels, and Inflammation in Patients Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis
The introduction of bicarbonate-based dialysate in the 1980s decreased hemodynamic instability and improved acidosis compared to the previous acetate-based dialysate.1 Because it still contained small amounts of acetate, concern about possible deleterious effects remained. In the last decade, citric acid has been introduced as an alternative acidifying agent, with several beneficial effects, including improvement in inflammation2-5 and dialysis efficiency.6
