Biocompatible membranes in acute renal failure (ARF), hope or illusion?

Introduction

Acute renal failure remains associated with high mortality rates. Different attempts to increase survival have not been successful [1, 2]. The use of biocompatible polyacrylonitrile membrane gave promising, but controversial results [3, 4]. This paper compares the results of treatment of patients with ARF by hemodialysis using polysulfonate (BC) and cellulose diacetate membrane (BIC).

Patients and methods

In a group of 33 patients with ARF (surgical and medical group, 25 males and 8 females, average age 58.7 ± 8.3 years), polysulfone membrane was used in 14 patients (group BC), and cellulose diacetate membrane in 19 patients (group BIC). On inclusion in the study, there were no significant differences in the severity of the underlying disease between the observed groups. Apache II₀ score was 36.2 ± 9.6 in the BC group, and between the observed groups. Apache II₀ score was 36.2 ± 9.6 in the BC group, and 39.8 ± 9.6 in the BIC group (P = 0.34; NS, Student t-test). There was no correlation in survival with regard to patients' age. The survival of medical and surgical group of patients was better in the BC group (P = 0.013).

Conclusion

The use of biocompatible polysulfone membrane in acute renal failure, along with other measures, represents an advance in the patient management.