Leo

When Leo was first diagnosed with kidney failure, his doctors weren’t sure if it was an infection from surfing—his passion—or something else. The antibodies in his body had damaged his kidneys and Leo began in-center dialysis treatments. But in-center treatments made him feel like he had lost control of his life, as it became dictated by treatment schedules. He was not living the life he wanted to live. While his wife was skeptical, Leo was convinced that home hemodialysis with System One was the solution. System One allowed Leo to go from feeling like a little old man sitting in a room with a blanket over him to a man who just taught his granddaughter to surf. Leo surfs almost every day and is back to doing everything he used to do before kidney failure.

Risks and Responsibilities

The reported benefits of home hemodialysis (HHD) may not be experienced by all patients.

The NxStage System is a prescription device and, like all medical devices, involves some risks. The risks associated with hemodialysis treatments in any environment include, but are not limited to, high blood pressure, fluid overload, low blood pressure, heart-related issues, and vascular access complications. When vascular access is exposed to more frequent use, infection of the site, and other access related complications may also be potential risks. The medical devices used in hemodialysis therapies may add additional risks including air entering the bloodstream, and blood loss due to clotting or accidental disconnection of the blood tubing set.

Home hemodialysis with the NxStage System during waking hours may not require a care partner, provided a physician and a qualified patient agree that solo home hemodialysis is appropriate. Patients performing nocturnal treatments are required to have a care partner. Care partners are trained on proper operation and how to get medical or technical help if needed.

Certain risks associated with hemodialysis treatment are increased when performing solo HHD because no one is present to help the patient respond to health emergencies. If patients experience needles coming out, blood loss, or very low blood pressure during solo HHD, they may lose consciousness or become physically unable to correct the health emergency. Losing consciousness or otherwise becoming impaired during any health emergency while alone could result in significant injury or death. Additional ancillary devices and training are required when performing solo HHD.

Certain risks associated with hemodialysis treatment are increased when performing nocturnal therapy due to the length of treatment time and because therapy is performed while the patient and care partner are sleeping. These risks include, but are not limited to, blood access disconnects and blood loss during sleep, blood clotting due to slower blood flow and/or increased treatment time, and delayed response to alarms when waking from sleep.

Patients should consult their doctor to understand the risks and responsibilities of performing these therapies using the NxStage System.

APM2186 Rev. C