Other dialysis acid products need to be transported as liquids. Sodium diacetate formulations, on the other hand, can be transported dry. This can help dialysis companies save on shipping and handling costs. In other words: the only reason a company would use a sodium diacetate solution would be to save costs, NOT to improve patient outcomes or the efficacy of treatment.

These details may seem arcane. But the chemical subtleties are profound. Here is why. During the dialysis process, the liver ultimately processes the acid – whether the acid comes in the form of sodium diacetate, acetic acid or sodium acetate. The liver produces one molecule of bicarbonate equivalent, when acetic acid or sodium acetate is used. But it produces double that amount of bicarbonate, when sodium diacetate is used.

In other words, GranuFlo leads to the release of much more bicarbonate byproduct, thanks to how its particular acids get metabolized in the liver.

Why might this be significant?

Remember from last post: blood in the human body needs to reside in a very, very small pH range – between 7.35 and 7.45. When a huge wash of bicarbonate is suddenly introduced into the system, it can cause rapid shifts in pH level, leading to electrolyte imbalances. These problems, in turn, can set off blood clots, cardiac arrest, arrhythmias, and a rogue’s gallery of other health problems. The bicarbonate issue is significant. In Fresenius’ own internal memo from November 4, 2011, the company admitted that a sudden elevation of bicarbonate levels can increase a dialysis patient’s risk of sudden death by up to 8 times.

Call Davis & Crump at 800-277-0300 or email us at info@daviscrump.com for a free, confidential evaluation of your GranuFlo case.