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Blood-membrane interactions during haemodialysis with cellulose and synthetic membranes
1Department of Medicine, Medical School, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Haemodialysis is associated with transient leucopenia, hypoxia and activation of the patient's complement system, mediated by blood-membrane contact. Changes in white blood cell counts, blood gases (PaO2 and PaCO2), carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) and complement activation (C3d and C3a) were measured pre-treatment and during dialysis. The degree of complement activation, leucopenia and changes in DLCO were influenced by membrane type; these changes were most marked for cellulosic membranes and were much reduced for synthetic membranes. A significant relationship between the degree of leucopenia and the magnitude of change in DLCO during dialysis was demonstrated.
Haemodialysis is associated with transient leucopenia, hypoxia and activation of the patient's complement system, mediated by blood-membrane contact. Changes in white blood cell counts, blood gases (PaO2 and PaCO2), carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) and complement activation (C3d and C3a) were measured pre-treatment and during dialysis. The degree of complement activation, leucopenia and changes in DLCO were influenced by membrane type; these changes were most marked for cellulosic membranes and were much reduced for synthetic membranes. A significant relationship between the degree of leucopenia and the magnitude of change in DLCO during dialysis was demonstrated.