[LinZ_956]

Hi everyone,
Not asking for medical advice here...just a few general questions about chronic kidney disease (I'm a nursing student interested in cardiology and nephrology). Thanks to all who reply.

1. On avg., how long can a patient with 25% kidney function survive without having to go on dialysis or have a kidney transplant?

2. How would a history of diabetes and a 5-way bypass affect the outcome?

[traumaRUs]

You are so right that we can't give medical advice. Generally:

1. At our practice, we place dialysis access at 25-30% of function. That way we are ready to start dialysis if the function drops below 20%.

2. We refer for transplant as soon as CKD is diagnosed. Diabetes and/or CABG isn't an absolute contraindication. However, the diabetes must be controlled and heart function maximized. Age also plays into this.