Evaluation of the Gambro Lundia Major 1.36 m2 disposable parallel plate dialyzer

The Gambro Lundia Major 1.36 m2 dialyzer was assessed in vivo in ten hemodialysis patients. Urea and creatinine clearances (measured as whole blood values at 60 minutes with a blood flow rate of 200 ml/minute) were 166 +/- 8 m/minute (mean +/- standard error of the mean, n = 9) and 115 +/- 4 ml/minute (n = 11). The creatinine clearance is 15% lower than in vitro data. There was a marked decrease in urea and creatinine clearance with third use of the dialyzer. The ultrafiltration rate was 490 ml/hour/100 mmHg. The priming volume was 125 ml (at a transmembrane pressure of 100 mmHg) and residual blood volume in the dialyzer was 0.57 +/- 0.11 ml (n = 5). The handling, storage and ease of disposal of the dialyzer is better than previous models and its performance characteristics are clinically acceptable.