Locatelli F, Mastrangelo F, Redaelli B, Ronco C, Marcelli D, La Greca G, Orlandini G, et al
Randomized trial on the effect of different membranes and dialysis technologies
33rd Congress of the Eur Dial Transplant Assoc
Nephrol Dial Transplant (Jun) 11:A236 1996

There is circumstantial evidence that biocompatible membranes attenuate dialysis related intradialytic and long term complications but the issue has been scarcely investigated in prospective , randomized, clinical trials.

The primary aim of this study involving 71 dialysis units and 380 patients is that of comparing high flux and low flux polysulphone with cuprophan in terms of treatment tolerance, nutritional parameters and beta2 microglobulin levels. To date the average observation period is 24 months. No statistical difference has until now emerged between polysulphone membranes (high and low flux) and cuprophan as for treatment tolerance and nutritional parameters. Beta2 microglobulin was significantly lower (-25%) in patients on high flux polysulphone than in those on low flux polysulphone or cuprophan.

Comment: Thus, the interim analysis of this study show that the use of polysulphone do not produce any measurable clinical benefit in comparison with cuprophan in a 2 years follow-up. However, the clinical impact of lowering beta2 microglobulin plasma concentration in patients on high flux polysulphone may require a longer observation period to fully emerge (Carmine Zoccali, M.D., Reggio Calabria, Italy).

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33rd Congress of the Eur Dial Transplant Assoc
Basic hemodialysis : Dialyzers
CRF by organ system : Nutrition




The principal difference between cuprophane and polysulphone hemodialyzers has been in infectious complications. This requires observation.
Rex L. Mahnensmith, MD (Rex.Mahnensmith@QM.yale.edu.)
New Haven, CT USA-Wednesday, August 14, 1996 at 11:38:02 (CDT)


We maintained two pts with early carpal tunnel syndrome with dorsal hand deposits of B2 microglobulin amyloid and early DAA on high flux hemodiafiltration with ( original) F80 x2 dialyzers for 4.5 and 5.0 years. Both patients had marked clinical progression of their DAA. Their average plasma levels of B2 Micro were 25 vs the average in a forty patient unit( controls) of 56. The point is: this is still 25 times normal level and does not result in amelioration of the syndrome in any way.
James H. Shinaberger
Los Angeles, CA USA-Sunday, April 27, 1997 at 01:53:29 (PDT)