MO805: Combination of Conventional Haemodialysis with Haemoperfusion: Does it Provide any Benefits to Haemodialysis Patients?

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS Conventional haemodialysis (HD) with low-flux membranes does not provide adequate middle molecular weight (MMW) clearance of uremic toxins [1]. The potential for better removal of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and β2-microglobulin (β2M) was investigated using a combination of low-flux HD and haemoperfusion (HP) (HD + HP). METHOD A total of 16 stable HD male patients, free of infections, malignancies or haematological disorders, under usual medications for anaemia and hyperparathyroidism, treated with low-flux polysulfone membranes, were randomized into two groups: group A (GA) included eight patients under HD + HP and group B (GΒ) included eight patients under HD only. In GA patients, a type HA130 HP cartridge was connected in parallel to the dialyzer, once a week for the first month, once every 2 weeks for the second month and once a month for the next 4 months. A third group C (GC) was also studied, consisting of eight males undergoing online haemodiafiltration (OL-HDF). In all three groups, serum β2M and iPTH levels were determined at months 0 and 6, before (preD) and after (postD) the mid-week session. RESULTS Serum preD-β2M levels were similar in groups A and B at month 0 (44.1 ± 8.6 versus 34.6 ± 16.2 mg/L; P = NS) and at month 6 (46.1 ± 7.6 versus 41.1 ± 18.9 mg/L; P = NS). In GC, preD–β2M values were lower compared with GA at month 0 (31.1 ± 4.2 mg/L; P = .008) and at month 6 (33.8 ± 6.82 mg/L; P = .02), and postD–β2M values decreased significantly at month 0 (7.4 ± 1.9 mg/L; P < .001) and at month 6 (9.9 ± 3.8 mg/L; P < 0.001). The reduction was maintained, with no difference between month 0 and month 6. An improvement/decrease in β2M values was observed between month 0 and month 6 only in GA (–5.8 ± 7. 2 versus 1.8 ± 5 mg/L; P = .03) but not in GB. PreD–iPTH values did not differ between groups A, B and C at month 0 (623 ± 432 versus 434 ± 350 versus 710 ± 286 pg/mL, respectively; P = NS) and at month 6 (758 ± 550 versus 383 ± 186 versus 559 ± 296 pg/mL, respectively; P = NS). PostD–iPTH values showed a decrease at month 6 in GA (from 758 ± 550 to 514 ± 474 pg/mL; P = .04) but not in GB and a mild decrease in GC (from 559 ± 296 to 363 ± 295 pg/mL; P = .05), with a marginal reduction improvement between month 0 and month 6 in GC (41 ± 55 versus 196 ± 87 pg/mL; P = .046). CONCLUSION OL-HDF is obviously the most effective method for the elimination of MMW uremic toxins [2]. Interestingly, the combination HD + HP seems