Evaluation of a new disposable plate dialyzer and the adverse effect of recirculation single pass dialysis on clearance

A new disposable plate dialyzer (PF = Travenol Paraflo 1.0 m2 11.5 mu Cuprophan), is compared with an older device of similar design (GL = Gambro Lundia Nova 1.0 m2 13.5 mu Cuprophan). The ultrafiltration rate (UF) relative to dialyzer pressure (DP) was greater for GL (3.90 +/- .02 DP ml/min) than for this lot of PF (2.71 +/- .01 DP ml/min). In vivo clearance of urea and creatinine in single pass for PF was 132 +/- 5 ml/min and 106 +/- 5 ml/min, respectively, at mean blood rate of 200 ml/min. RSP produced significantly lower urea and creatinine clearance (p less than .005, less than .025). These values were not significantly different from those for GL. Decrease in patient BUN and plasma creatinine during dialysis corroborated the clearance data. SP operation of these plate dialyzers is recommended since the disadvantages of RSP outweigh its advantages.