Home hemodialysis associated infection—The “Achilles' Heel” of intensive hemodialysis

Home hemodialysis (HHD) is emerging as an important alternate renal replacement therapy. Although there are multiple clinical advantages with HHD, concerns surrounding increased risks of infection in this group of patients remain a major barrier to its implementation. In contrast to conventional hemodialysis, infection related complication represents the major morbidity in this mode of renal replacement therapy. Vascular access related infection is an important cause of infection in this population. Use of central vein catheters and buttonhole cannulation in HHD are important modifiable risk factors for HHD associated infection. Several preventive measures are suggested in the literature, which will require further prospective validation.