Both are home therapies, but they work differently: hemodialysis filters blood through a machine, peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of your abdomen as the filter.
What to know
- Peritoneal dialysis needs no needles and no machine for manual exchanges, but requires a permanent abdominal catheter.
- Home hemodialysis usually gives better clearance for larger patients and those with no residual kidney function.
- PD is done daily; home hemodialysis is typically three to six sessions a week depending on the prescription.
- Peritonitis is the main risk with PD; access infection and needling complications are the main risks with hemodialysis.
- Many patients use one and later switch to the other. Neither choice is permanent.
Talk to your care team
This topic is part of Understanding Home Hemodialysis, one of ten modules in the Trivita Learning Hub. If anything here contradicts what your own nephrologist or dialysis nurse has told you, follow your care team — they know your prescription, your access and your history.
Trivita's dialysis nurses answer our care line 24 hours a day on 055 242 1070, including for people who are not yet our patients.
Education, not medical advice. This page explains home hemodialysis in general terms for patients and care partners in the UAE. It is reviewed by Trivita's Medical Director but cannot account for your individual circumstances. Never change a prescription, medication or technique based on this page alone.