A new generation of cellulose triacetate suitable for online haemodiafiltration

Online haemodiafiltration (OL-HDF) is currently the most effective dialysis technique that also improves survival. To date, high permeability membranes with low albumin loss, such as polysulfone, polyamide and polyacrylonitrile membranes have been the most widely used. However, the initially restricted use of cellulose triacetate (CTA) membranes in OL-HDF has expanded. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether the latest generation asymmetric CTA membranes are more effective in obtaining high convective transport. A total of 16 patients (10 males and 6 females) undergoing OL-HDF were studied. Each patient underwent 4 different sessions, with haemodialysis or OL-HDF, and/or with CTA or asymmetric CTA 1.9 m membranes. Each session was assigned in a randomised order. Serum levels of urea, creatinine, β -microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α -microglobulin, α -acid glycoprotein and albumin where measured at the beginning and end of each session to obtain the reduction rate. The loss of solutes and albumin was quantified from the dialysate. A significantly greater replacement volume in OL-HDF (32.1±3.1 vs. 19.7±4.5 l, P