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Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) => Topic started by: AlasdairUK on December 06, 2006, 03:52:34 AM

Title: Pump speeds on the Heart
Post by: AlasdairUK on December 06, 2006, 03:52:34 AM

What are the effect of pump speed to your access point and to the heart?

I have always been told that a higher pump speed was bad for the heart. As far as I know with permcaths, shunts a higher pump speed will damage the vessels where the blood flows out of the tubing into your vein with the higher venous pressure and this can cause stenosis. How does this effect the heart if at all ?

 

Title: Re: Pump speeds on the Heart
Post by: AlasdairUK on December 07, 2006, 02:10:44 AM

I spoke with a nurse last night and he told me that the pump speed you run at does not have any effect on the heart. Older people or people with valve problems might experience palpitations with a higher blood flow.

The left ventricle in all renal patients will be enlarged and this is due to extra fluid, but this is not related to pump speed.