Microcapsule artificial kidney: treatment of patients with acute drug intoxication

The microcapsule artificial kidney was used in the treatment of three patients with acute drug intoxication. The apparatus contains 300 g. of microencapsulated activated charcoal with a total membrane area available for diffusion of more than 2m.(2) The membrane thickness is only 500 A. These properties make possible a compact artificial kidney whose efficiency for the removal of uremic metabolites and drugs is much higher than standard hemodialysis apparatus. The microcapsules are made blood-compatible by coating with human albumin. A roller pump was used to propel the blood through the microcapsule artificial kidney at a flow rate of 300 ml./min. for two to three hours. The clearance values for glutethimide, methyprylon and methaqualone were much higher than those achieved by standard hemodialysis. Hemoperfusion quickly lowered the drug level in the blood with resulting clinical improvement.