Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Author Spotlight: Developing a Simple and Robust Hepatic Model for Pharmacological and Toxicological Applications
Published on: October 20, 2023
Urea Rebound Assessment Based on UV Absorbance in Spent Dialysate
Ruth Tomson1, Fredrik Uhlin, Ivo Fridolin
1From the *Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technomedicum, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia; and †Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, and Department of Nephrology UHL, County Council of Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden.
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to examine the possibility of postdialysis urea rebound assessment using UV-absorbance measurements in spent dialysate. Twenty-six patients on chronic three-times-a-week hemodialysis (HD) were studied in two separate studies. Double-beam spectrophotometer was used for the determination of UV absorbance in the collected spent dialysate samples. Also, on-line UV absorbance was monitored. The equilibrium concentration (C(eq)) of urea at the end of the rebound phase was calculated based on urea concentration in blood and dialysate and UV absorbance in spent dialysate. Based on C(eq), urea rebound was expressed relative to urea concentration at the end of HD (R1) and relative to the decrease in urea concentration during HD (R2). Estimates based on UV-absorbance values in spent dialysate (R(1_a), R(2_a)) slightly over assess postdialysis rebound compared with results based on the blood sample drawn 30 min after HD (R(1_30post), R(2_30post)), but R(1_a) and R(2_a) presented greater consistency and accuracy compared with the estimates based on the intradialytic blood sample (R(1_b), R(2_b)). In summary, the results show that it is possible to assess postdialysis urea rebound in blood based on UV-absorbance measurements in spent dialysate.
Related Concept Videos
Hemodialysis III: Nursing Management
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Dose Adjustments Based on Drug Clearance and Elimination Rate Constant
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
Urine Studies I: Urinalysis
Dialysis
Titration of a Weak Base with a Strong Acid
Using the ICE table and substituting the Kb value, we calculate the initial pH of 50 mL of 0.1 M ammonia to be 11.11. Addition of 25 mL of 0.1 M hydrochloric acid to this solution of ammonia results in a buffer with an equal concentration of ammonia and ammonium ions. The pH of this buffer can be calculated by substituting these...

