What is the typical duration of a hemodialysis session?

The typical duration of a hemodialysis session is 3 to 5 hours. This timeframe is generally necessary to effectively remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood of patients with kidney failure. During each session, the patient's blood is circulated through a dialyzer or artificial kidney, where it is cleaned before being returned to the body. Sessions are usually scheduled three times a week, and lasting between 3 to 5 hours allows for adequate removal of toxins and management of fluid balance.

Using shorter durations, such as 1 to 2 hours, would not provide enough time to achieve the desired removal of waste products. Similarly, options suggesting longer durations, such as 5 to 7 hours, are also not common practice as they may result in patient discomfort and increased burden without significantly improving treatment efficacy. Thus, 3 to 5 hours is the standard range that balances efficiency and patient safety in hemodialysis treatment.