Hemodiafiltration: balancing clinical efficacy with planetary health

Purpose of review

The 2023 CONVINCE trial demonstrated improved survival with high-dose hemodiafiltration (HDF), prompting discussions about widespread adoption. However, this clinical advancement occurs amid growing awareness of healthcare's environmental impact, particularly dialysis treatments that consume extensive water and energy resources. This review examines the environmental implications of HDF adoption, synthesizing recent evidence on resource consumption and emerging sustainability solutions in the context of the climate crisis facing nephrology.

Recent findings

Life cycle assessments indicate HDF has a carbon footprint 30–40% higher than conventional hemodialysis, consuming an additional 10 300 L of water per patient annually. However, recent technological innovations show promise: expanded hemodialysis (HDx) using medium cut-off membranes reduces water usage by >20% and energy consumption by >30% compared to HDF while potentially achieving similar clinical outcomes. Water conservation technologies, including reverse osmosis, reject water reuse and reduced dialysate flow protocols, can decrease environmental impact by 30–50% without any difference in patient outcomes.

Summary

The adoption of HDF represents a critical test case for sustainable healthcare innovation. While the potential benefits should not be ignored, technology is not static and, if confirmed, additional sustainability work and comprehensive policy frameworks integrating environmental impact assessments into technology evaluation are urgently needed. The nephrology community must balance clinical excellence with planetary stewardship through technological innovation, resource optimization, and evidence-based environmental guidelines that benefit, not compromise, patient care.