What determines my need for dialysis?

Dialysis is prescribed when other treatments for chronic kidney failure are insufficient (kidney transplant is another option at this stage), or if your kidneys have about 10%-15% of function remaining. In chronic kidney failure, your doctor may recommend dialysis when certain complications, such as low urine production or heart failure, develop. Dialysis may be a short- or long-term treatment, depending on the conditions that cause kidney failure.