What is typically included in the blood filtered during hemodialysis?

During hemodialysis, the primary goal is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys are insufficiently functioning. The blood is circulated through a dialysis machine where it passes through a dialyzer, also known as an artificial kidney.

This process effectively filters out various waste materials that would normally be excreted by healthy kidneys, such as urea, creatinine, and excess electrolytes. Therefore, the inclusion of waste products in the blood that is filtered during hemodialysis aligns with the primary function of this treatment.

While oxygen, white blood cells, and red blood cells are important components of the blood, they are generally not removed during the hemodialysis process because it is crucial to maintain adequate blood cell concentrations and oxygenation in the body. The focus of hemodialysis is specifically on cleansing the blood of harmful byproducts and maintaining the body's chemical balance.