Table 3.

Possible mechanism leading to the benefits from residual renal function in dialysis-dependent patients

Benefits	Mechanism
Solute clearance	• B2-microglobulin • protein bound solutes
Volume control	• Lower ultrafiltration volumes in each hemodialysis session • Less intradialytic hypotension • Less myocardial stunning • reduction in cardiovascular mortality
Inflammatory reduction	• C-reactive protein and interleukin-6
Anemia management	• Less anemia with less use of epoetin alpha
Nutritional improvement	• Better overall nutritional status • Better control of serum phosphorus.
Quality of life and survival	• Better quality of life