Kidney Dialysis vs. Transplant Comparison Chart
Kidney Dialysis
Type
Pros
Cons
Home Dialysis –
Peritoneal (CAPD)
 Needs no machine for CAPD
 Fewer diet and fluid
 Increased risk of peritonitis
restrictions
Portable for ease of travel
Needle-free treatments
Dialyze while you sleep
Fewer peaks and valleys
Doctor visits and labs
performed once a month at a
clinic
 Requires space for supplies
 Potential weight gain
 Cycling machine needed for
Continuous
Ambulatory
Peritoneal
Dialysis (4-5
times/day)
(CCPD) Continuous
Cycling Peritoneal
Dialysis
(6-8 hrs every nite)
Home Dialysis –
Hemodialysis
Short daily (2-3 hours,
6 days/wk)
Traditional (3-4 hrs, 3
times/wk)
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
Standard (days, 3-5
hrs, 3 times/wk)
Nocturnal (nights, 8
hrs, 3 times/wk)
CCPD
 Plastic tube from abdomen may
be hindrance
 Flexible treatment time
 Doctor visits and labs only
 A machine is required
 Requires modifications to home
once a month
 Nocturnal allows dialysis
while you sleep
 Dialysis in the comfort of your
own home
electrical and plumbing
 Care partner required for needle
insertion
 Must order and have room for
supplies
 May have problems with fistula,
AV graft not working
 Dialysis centers are found all
 Fistula or AV graft surgically
Nocturnal (6-8 hrs 3+
days/wk)
In Center
Hemodialysis
(abdominal infection)
over the country
 Skilled health care providers
with you at all times
 Don’t have to put in own





needle
Get to know other dialysis
patients
Immediate access to
emergency care if needed
Do not need to store supplies
in your home
Frequent access to your
health care team
Nocturnal dialysis allows
more time for activities
inserted
 Must travel to a center
 Disrupts work schedule due to
fixed schedule
 Less privacy (Sleep with other
patients for nocturnal)
 More ups and downs in how you
feel
 Must maintain a strict diet and
fluid restriction
 Must follow center’s rules
regarding food, visitors, cell
phones etc.
Chart Courtesy of the National Kidney Center www.nationalkidneycenter.org
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Kidney Dialysis vs. Transplant Comparison Chart
Kidney Transplant
Type
Pros
Cons
Compatible
Living Related
Donor
Transplant
 May be able to be transplanted
 Psychological stress of having a





Compatible
Deceased
Donor
Transplant
prior to start of dialysis
Shorter wait time for transplant
Better genetic match lessens risk of
rejection
Transplant takes place at a
convenient time for both donor and
recipient
Kidney usually functions
immediately
Improved health with more active
lifestyle
 No longer need dialysis
 Improved health with more active
lifestyle
family member involved
 Time involved for evaluation and
testing process
 May be responsible for travel
expenses, wages lost
 Wait time for kidney may be
years
 Kidney may not function
immediately
 Rejection rate higher
 May be responsible for travel
expenses, wages lost
Compatible
Living Paired
Donation
Transplant
 You receive a compatible kidney
from a living donor other than a
family member
 Kidney usually functions
immediately
 May find a younger donor or a
perfect 6-antigen match
 Multiple recipients can benefit with
 Your family can donate, but not
directly for you
 Will need to wait on dialysis
while finding a match
 Not all transplant centers can
handle multiple simultaneous
transplants
 Complicated process
NEAD (Never Ending Altruistic
Donation) paired transplant
 Shortens time on dialysis
 More recipients transplanted, fewer
on waiting list
 Improved health with more active
lifestyle
Chart Courtesy of the National Kidney Center www.nationalkidneycenter.org
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Kidney Dialysis vs. Transplant Comparison Chart
Kidney Transplant (Contd.)
Type
Pros
Cons
Incompatible
Blood or Tissue
Type
Transplant
 Positive cross matched patients are
 Not all transplant centers will
now able to receive a transplant
 Improved health with more active
lifestyle
 Shortens time on dialysis
accept highly sensitized patients
 More procedures
(plasmapheresis, immune
globulin therapy) are needed
Chart Courtesy of the National Kidney Center www.nationalkidneycenter.org
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