Comparison of Blood Compatibility in Various Membrane Materials for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Because hemofilters used for continuous renal replacement therapy contact with blood over a prolonged period during treatments, platelet activation may occur stronger. The purpose of this study is to clarify the blood compatibility in three hemofilters mostly used in Japan. We compared the blood compatibility of the two polysulfone (AEF: Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Tokyo, Japan and SHG: Toray Medical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) and one polymethylmethacrylate membranes (CH: Toray Medical Co., Ltd.). First, test blood was collected from healthy volunteers. Subsequently, the blood was circulated by a roller pump at the rate of 100 mL/min. We measured the platelet counts and platelet factor 4 (PF4). The platelet counts at 48 h in polymethylmethacrylate membrane were significantly less than that in polysulfone membranes. Levels of the PF4 after the circulation were 978.5 ± 200.0 ng/dL with AEF, 863.0 ± 233.9 ng/dL with SHG and 1780.0 ± 465.1 ng/dL with CH, respectively. Hemofilters with polysulfone membranes showed less platelet activation. It was inferred that the amount of PVP, the smoothness of the membrane surface, and the inner diameter of the hollow fiber affect the blood compatibility in the hemofilter.