A multicenter study of short hour dialysis using AN69S. Preliminary results

A multicenter prospective study of short hour (SH, less than or equal to 3 hr) dialysis using a high flux membrane (AN69S) plus volumetric control (VC), versus conventional (greater than or equal to 4 hr) (CNV) cellulosic non-VC dialysis, is ongoing. The study hypothesizes that SH treatment over 1 year will provide adequate dialysis, will not increase morbidity, and may improve quality of life. To date, 112 patients have been entered, and 54 have completed 6 months, 30 by SH. There were no differences in biophysiologic parameters at 6 months. Mean hospitalization was 5.24 days per patient. The SH group had a higher (p = 0.0374) hospitalization rate because of two patients. Quality of life was similar in SH and CNV groups. The study indicates that SH dialysis is feasible, safe, and as comfortable as CNV.