Haemodialysis Outcomes & Patient Empowerment Study 03

Volume Overload is a contributing factor to the high rates of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality demonstrated in haemodialysis patients. At present, no method exists that can consistently refine volume status and provide patients with feedback to allow adjustments to their fluid intake. Current standards used to assess volume are either poorly predictive of fluid status, cumbersome to use, or lack an adequate patient interface.

An automated, accurate and periodic assessment of dry weight would be clinically useful, low-cost, and rapidly scalable. Machine learning methods have been widely studied in nephrology. Large amounts of precise haemodialysis data, collected and stored electronically at regular intervals, have the potential to be leveraged in the prediction of patients' extracellular volume or ideal fluid status.

A number of proof-of-concept machine-learning models for the prediction of dry weight in haemodialysis data have been created using retrospective data. This study will evaluate the usability of the machine learning models in managing fluid volume in haemodialysis patients while also assessing their validity and reproducibility against validated measurements; in this instance the Body Composition Monitor (BCM) by Fresenius.

As the machine learning model for assessing fluid status was trained and tested on retrospective data, there is sufficient justification for testing the model's performance, acceptability and usability in a controlled, observational prospective study.

This will be an 8-week trial with a 2-week run-in period conducted in a single centre in Beaumont, Dublin, Ireland. Bioimpedance measurements using the Fresenius BCM will be performed every 2 weeks. Haemodialysis data will be processed continuously throughout the trial. The algorithm will use haemodialysis data to predict the BCM output. The algorithm prediction will be compared to the BCM prediction to assess its usability.

Inclusion criteria

• Receiving maintenance haemodialysis in an ambulatory care setting
• Aged at least 18 years
• Demonstrates understanding of the study requirements.
• Willing to give written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Conditions precluding accurate use of bioimpedance (e.g. limb amputations,severe malnourishment, pregnancy, cardiac resynchronisation devices, pacemakers).
• Significant confusion or any concomitant medical condition, which would limit the ability of the patient to record symptoms or other parameters.