Final answer:
Haemodialysis is an essential treatment for patients with Ethylene Glycol (EG) toxicity, aiding in the removal of toxic metabolites and the correction of metabolic imbalances. It operates by filtering the blood through an artificial kidney, which allows for the removal of toxins while retaining essential proteins. Haemodialysis also helps prevent kidney failure by managing the overload of hemoglobin due to erythrocyte degradation and mitigates oxidative stress-related damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
EG toxicity often leads to the production of toxic metabolites that can cause severe metabolic acidosis and renal failure. EG is found in automotive antifreeze and other industrial products. When ingested, the body metabolizes EG into toxic compounds that can prompt severe health issues, including kidney damage. Haemodialysis helps remove these metabolites and corrects acid-base and electrolyte imbalances, thereby reducing the risk of kidney damage and other complications.
During haemodialysis, the patient's blood is filtered through a dialyzer or artificial kidney. A semipermeable membrane within the dialyzer allows the removal of toxins, waste products like urea, and excess water, while preventing the loss of proteins and other large molecules. Cellophane tubes in the dialyzer provide a dialyzing surface to facilitate this exchange, and the procedure is often done multiple times a week for several hours each session.
The kidneys, apart from filtering wastes, serve an endocrine function and are responsible for the production of Erythropoietin (EPO), which regulates the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Synthetic EPO can help treat anemia in patients undergoing haemodialysis, by stimulating their bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. However, the misuse of EPO, as seen in cases of blood doping in sports, can increase blood viscosity and pose serious health risks, such as heart attacks, strokes, and in extreme cases, death.
EG toxicity can cause acute renal failure by overwhelming the kidneys' ability to filter out high concentrations of hemoglobin, a byproduct of erythrocyte degradation. This is where haemodialysis plays a crucial role in managing EG toxicity by helping to remove excess hemoglobin and preventing the onset of kidney failure. Additionally, haemodialysis ameliorates states of oxidative stress where accumulated oxidants can damage enzymes and proteins.