A Case for Cellulosic Membrane Hemodialyzers

Abstract

Regenerated cellulose membranes have been held responsible for a variety of ill effects in dialysis patients. Many of these effects (hypotension, changes in well-being) have not been supported by studies, while other effects were more likely due to ethylene oxide. The lower cost of dialyzers composed of these membranes may allow implementation of otherwise cost-prohibitive lifesaving therapy in some countries.

Hemodialysis‐Induced Hypotension: Impact of Technologic Advances

“…Inadequate compensation of ultrafiltration (UF)‐induced hypovolemia is supposed to play the decisive role. Various attempts aimed at reducing the incidence of IDH have been reviewed in recent issues of this journal (1–7). Although the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved are well known and improvements in dialysis technique have addressed this problem, symptomatic hypotension still occurs in up to 20% of conventional HD treatments (8).…”