What is the primary purpose of a dialyzer in hemodialysis?

The primary purpose of a dialyzer in hemodialysis is to remove toxins from the blood. The dialyzer, often referred to as an artificial kidney, functions by facilitating the exchange of waste products and excess substances from the patient's blood into the dialysate. This process is crucial for patients with kidney failure, as their kidneys are unable to perform these essential functions. Within the dialyzer, blood flows through a series of porous membranes that allow small molecules like urea and creatinine to pass through while retaining larger components of blood such as red blood cells and proteins. This selective permeability is vital for efficiently cleansing the blood of harmful substances that accumulate due to impaired kidney function.

While monitoring blood pressure, circulating blood, and regulating fluid balance are all important aspects of the overall hemodialysis treatment process, they do not represent the primary function of the dialyzer itself. Blood pressure monitoring ensures patient safety during the procedure, the blood circulation system is necessary for the dialysis process, and fluid balance regulation is managed by the overall treatment approach, but the dialyzer's main role is specifically to eliminate toxins from the blood.