What might a steady decline in KECN test results indicate?

A steady decline in KECN test results typically indicates that the efficiency of the dialysis treatment is decreasing. The KECN test measures the clearance of urea from blood during dialysis, reflecting how well the dialyzer is functioning and how effectively it is removing waste products from the blood.

If the KECN results are steadily declining, it suggests that the current dialysis treatment may not be providing adequate clearance, which can happen if the blood is not coming into contact with the dialyzer efficiently enough or if the dialyzer is becoming less effective over time. In such cases, increasing the amount of heparin can be necessary because heparin helps to prevent clotting in the dialyzer and ensures better blood flow through the dialysis machine. A better flow can lead to improved KECN results. Therefore, recognizing that the need for more heparin might reflect the ongoing challenges in maintaining optimal dialysis efficiency is crucial for patient care.

Other options, while they may seem relevant in certain contexts, do not directly address the concern raised by a decline in KECN results. For instance, an increase in fluid intake or lengthening dialysis time might not sufficiently resolve the underlying issues of dialyzer efficiency. Similarly, changing to a different