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The importance of RRF in dialysis patients can only be appreciated when one considers its influence on nutrition, cardiovascular function, mineral metabolism and maintenance of hemoglobin levels. Loss of RRF increases resting energy expenditure and inflammation and reduces small solute and middle molecule uremic toxin clearance, erythropoietin synthesis, phosphorus, sodium and fluid removal. These effects result in anemia, malnutrition, cardiac hypertrophy, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis, vascular and valvular calcification, all of which lead to an increase in overall and cardiovascular mortality and decreased quality of life1.
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Reference:
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Wang AY, Lai KN. The importance of residual renal function in dialysis patients. Kidney Int 69:1726-1732, 2006