Clinical comparison of high-flux cellulose acetate and synthetic membranes

Solute transport and alterations in complement and clotting induced by a new high-flux cellulose acetate membrane (CA-HF800-E, Diaphan) were compared with those for cellulose triacetate (CTA) and polysulphone in a cross-over clinical study. The membranes are similar in their small-molecule removal. Serum beta 2-microglobulin decreased with all membranes but the decrease was independent of membrane type. Associated with beta 2-microglobulin removal was a protein loss which averaged 2636 mg for Diaphan, 4937 mg for CTA, and 2500 mg for polysulphone. Albumin presence in the dialysate was less than the limit of detection (5 mg/l) but for each of the membranes, occasional readings above the limit of detection were noted. C3a generation for Diaphan is comparable with that for CTA and polysulphone, but differed for C5a and neutropenia. A highly significant correlation of the area under the concentration time curve of the two complement components was noted for the cellulose based membranes (r = 0.875, P = 0.0002 for Diaphan, r = 0.823, P = 0.006 for CTA) this relationship was less marked for polysulphone (r = 0.396, P = 0.29). Induction of clotting characterized by the thrombin-antithrombin III (TAT) complex were similar for the three membranes, as were changes in platelet counts. Our findings indicate that while it is possible to modify cellulose to produce a membrane whose solute transport and biocompatibility is similar to synthetic membranes such as polysulphone, the structural modifications induce considerable differences in the amount of protein lost.