Prospects for using a hemoconcentrator as an alternative hemodialysis method in cardiopulmonary bypass surgeries

Cardioplegic solutions often cause high blood concentrations of potassium. The conventional hemoconcentration circuit was improved to correct electrolyte imbalances through a method involving dilutional ultrafiltration (DUF) and an alternative hemodialysis (ALTHD) method. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of this ALTHD method.

Bovine blood was used, in conjunction with a hemoconcentrator, in an experimental hemodialysis (HD) circuit to evaluate an ALTHD method. The effectiveness of the method was determined by electrolyte and hematocrit measurements following the procedure.

The ALTHD method corrected electrolyte levels as effectively as DUF and was less affected by dilution than DUF.

The ALTHD method may provide faster electrolyte adjustments than DUF because its efficiency depends on both the blood and dialysate flow rates. In addition, the ALTHD method is expected to provide increased efficiency. Thus, our DUF/ALTHD circuit-switching method may be clinically useful when rapid electrolyte correction is required.