Abstract

Introduction: New cellulose Asymmetric Triacetate membranes improve the filtration properties and blood compatibility because of the asymmetric structure and smooth surface. The aim of our study was to evaluate the purifying efficacy of the new dialyzer, Solacea™-H (Nipro Corporation - Japan), as regards low molecular weight (LMW), medium molecular weight (MMW), high molecular weight (HMW) toxins and PBUT during on-line hemodiafiltration treatments.

Materials and Methods: Eight stable HD patients on three-weekly dialysis schedule, were evaluated after switching to

the Solacea dialyzer (2,1m2 surface area), during 6 on-line haemodiafiltration sessions. In every patient, blood tests were

performed during the first 3 dialysis sessions and on the first and third dialysis session of the second week. The

purification of the main standard parameters (LMW toxins), the removal of MMW toxins such as β-2 microglobulin, HMW

toxins such as myoglobin and PBUT solutes such as total indoxylsulphate (TIXS) and p-cresol (T PCS), bound for 90% to

serum albumin, and their free fractions, that represent less than the 10% of their total concentrations, were evaluated

during on-line HDF treatments. The statistical differences, before and after dialysis, were calculated with the student’s ttest

for paired data.

Results: At the end of each haemodiafiltration sessions there was a significant decrease of the LMW toxins with a

consistent Kt/V (1,4) and a high urea removal rate (69,3%). The concentrations of MMW and HMW toxins decrease by

50-70%. As regards the PBUT removal, total PCS and IXS decreased by 27-33%, while free fractions were reduced of 55-

65%. However the values of both total and free fractions of PCS and IXS returned to similar values at the start of each

subsequent dialysis. No side effects from intolerance to treatment were registered.