Without life-sustaining interventions, toxins can build up quickly, causing a condition called uremia. Death usually follows within a few days to several weeks. If the decision is made not to pursue ...

Figure 1. Cause of death in prevalent dialysis patients in the United States, 2005 to 2007. 1 AMI indicates acute myocardial infarction; CHF, congestive heart failure; CVA, cerebrovascular accident.