Abstract: SA-PO1051
A Descriptive Study of Cardiac Arrest Rate, Clinical Factors, and Outcomes Among Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis in India
Session Information
- Hemodialysis: Risk Factors, Epidemiology, and Outcomes
October 24, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Dialysis
- 801 Dialysis: Hemodialysis and Frequent Dialysis
Authors
- Sankarasubbaiyan, Suresh, Nephrocare Health Services Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Kasiviswanathan, Savitha, Nephrocare Health Services Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
- Chaudhary, Shiva, Nephrocare Health Services Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Background
Cardiac arrest represents a sentinel safety event of profound impact, poor survival and possible prevention. The incidence rate of cardiac arrests is 4.5–7 per 100,000 hemodialysis sessions, and 82% of such events occurred during or immediately after a hemodialysis session. The objective is to determine the rate and outcome of cardiac arrest among patients on hemodialysis and describe the demographic, clinical, and dialysis factors of hemodialysis patients who experienced cardiac arrest.
Methods
We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in hemodialysis centres under a single large private dialysis network in India between May 2024 to December 2025. The total number of hemodialysis sessions conducted during this period was 5,166,934 in 451 centres. We calculated cardiac arrest rate per 10,000 sessions. Data collected by technicians included demographics, clinical factors, vascular access status, timing of cardiac arrest, hospitalization and outcome. Data analysis was done using SPSS software.
Results
A total of 277 cardiac arrests occurred. Cardiac arrest rate was 0.5 per 10,000 sessions. 108 (39%) occurred in the morning, 89 (32%) in the evening, 71 (26%) in the afternoon and 7 (3%) occurred at night. 78 (28%) occurred within 1 hour, 75 (27%) within 1-3 hours, 65 (24%) more than 3 hours of session, 38 (14%) during post and 20 (7%) during pre-hemodialysis sessions. Mean age was 56.4±12.4 years. The majority of 171 (62%) were males. The payer distribution was 199 (72%) under public insurance coverage, 57 (21%) paid out of pocket, and 17 (6%) had private insurance. 178 (64%) were diabetic, and 186 (67%) had a history of heart disease. 209 (76%) were on AVF/AVG, and 67 (24%) were on temporary catheter. The mean hemoglobin was 8.8 ± 1.7 gm/dl, and the mean ultrafiltration rate was 11 ± 4.9 ml/kg/hr. 98 (36%) of them underwent 1 session/week, 38 (14%) underwent 2 sessions/week, 27 (10%) underwent 3 sessions/week, and 106 (39%) underwent more than 3 sessions/week during 3 months before the arrest. 214 (77%) underwent hospitalization. 101 (37%) did not survive cardiac arrest.
Conclusion
The rate of cardiac arrests is within the previously reported range. The cardiac events occurred in patients with clustering of diabetes, heart disease, anaemia, high ultrafiltration rate and low HD frequency. There was no predilection for the time of day when the event occurred.