This publication constitutes not only a supreme educational tool for young physicians, but it also offers an excellent update on the most recent clinical and technological aspects of hemodialysis in general: Apart from discussing several important issues in modern dialysis, it contains information on epidemiology as well as on current legislative and financial trends. Among the crucial issues highlighted in this timely compilation are the cardiovascular response to fluid removal, dialysis prescription and its modification in relation to decline of residual renal function, the mechanisms of solute and water removal in different dialytic techniques and the possible limitations imposed by the present technology. Furthermore, the problem of chronic inflammation in hemodialysis patients and its interaction with nutrition and albumin turnover is discussed in depth, and new types of vascular access are dealt with in conjunction with the available methods of monitoring vascular access function. Urea kinetics and sodium modeling as well as a discussion of infections in dialysis patients round off the range of issues presented. Covering a broad spectrum of topics, this book is a valuable reference work not only for physicians and nurses, but also for students and scientists involved in hemodialysis and related biotechnology.