Blood components deposited on used and reused dialysis membranes

Hemodialysis cartridges used once and reused once or twice were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Blood deposits consisting of leukocytes, platelets, and amorphous material covered 15 to 25% of the dialysis membrane surface of cartridges used once. This deposit increased somewhat with cartridge reuse but did not appear to impair the dialysis efficiency of membranes significantly. Leukocytes formed a major part of the blood deposit and spreading of these cells upon dialysis membranes was marked. Single and aggregated platelets were adherent to the dialysis membranes, to leukocytes, and to amorphous debris. Few erythrocytes were present, and fibrin was not identified. There was little evidence for build up or layering of the blood deposit with cartridge reuse. The procedures for dialysis cartridge rinsing used in these studies appear to be highly efficient in removal of adherent blood components.