Video - What Is Hemodialysis?

This hemodialysis video gives you a quick but clear introduction as to what hemodialysis is, why it is sometimes needed, and how it is done. Hemodialysis is not the same thing as peritoneal dialysis (see our article on kidney dialysis for more information).

Recent statistics indicate that there are currently more than half a million individuals in the United States alone who have end stage renal disease (ESRD), which is more commonly known as kidney failure or chronic kidney failure. When kidney failure occurs, the individual has only two means of survival: a kidney transplant or dialysis.

Many of these Americans would not be alive today if it were not for dialysis.

Dialysis survival rate statistics

These are recent renal dialysis survival rates (through 2007), showing the percentage of those undergoing dialysis who are still alive

• 1 year 79.3 percent
• 2 years 64.7 percent
• 5 years 33.6 percent
• 10 years 10.2 percent

Learn more about how to cope with kidney dialysis by clicking on

Living With Kidney Dialysis