Systemic cardiovascular response in hemodialysis without and with ultrafiltration with membranes of high and low biocompatibility

• Published in: Blood purification Vol. 13; no. 5; p. 229
• Main Authors: Aakhus, S, Bjoernstad, K, Jørstad, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 1995
• Subjects: Acrylic Resins; Adult; Aged; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; Cellulose - analogs & derivatives; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Materials Testing; Membranes, Artificial; Middle Aged; Renal Dialysis - instrumentation
• DOI: 10.1159/000170206
• ISSN: 0253-5068

In order to test whether dialyzer membrane biocompatibility influences systemic cardiovascular function, we treated 8 hemodialysis patients (4 men and 4 women, aged 24-73 years) with a low-biocompatible (cuprophane) and a high-biocompatible (polyacrylonitrile) membrane in a randomized double-blind crossover protocol using bicarbonate hemodialysis without ultrafiltration for the first 60 min and with ultrafiltration for the remaining treatment time. Left ventricular function and systemic hemodynamics were assessed noninvasively at baseline and during treatment by Doppler echocardiography combined with external subclavian artery pulse trace calibrated with oscillometrically measured brachial artery blood pressures. There was no significant difference in the cardiovascular response to the 2 membranes, neither during isolated hemodialysis nor when ultrafiltration was added. Mean arterial pressure increased 10% (p < 0.001) during isolated hemodialysis and returned to baseline levels with ultrafiltration. The cardiac index decreased 22% (p < 0.001) during ultrafiltration, due to the greater decrease in left ventricular stroke index (30%, p < 0.001) than increase in heart rate (9%, p < 0.05). Total peripheral resistance increased 10% (p < 0.05) during isolated hemodialysis and a further 19% (p < 0.01) when ultrafiltration was added. Hence, profound cardiovascular alterations were observed during hemodialysis treatment; however, these changes were not related to the biocompatibility of the membranes.