title: Complement kinetics during continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration: studies with a new polysulfone hemofilter.
abstract: Biocompatibility of the Renaflo polysulfone hemofilter was assessed during treatments with continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration. Pre- versus postfilter levels of C3a, C4a, C5a and leukocyte counts were measured prior to and 15, 60 and 90 min after placement of the Renaflo. Results revealed a small, and previously unrecognized, increase in postfilter C3a (1,224 +/- 56 vs. 1,535 +/- 150 ng/ml, mean +/- SEM, n = 15; p less than 0.01). A comparable increase was also found during treatment with an Amicon polysulfone filter. There were no other significant changes in any parameter studied and no patient exhibited symptoms related to complement activation. We conclude that the Renaflo filter is safe for use during continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration. Although clinically insignificant, there is a detectable activation of C3 by polysulfone membranes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toueg
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003167:Complement Activation; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000378:metabolism; D015926:Complement C3a; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006440:Hemofiltration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D011108:Polymers; D013450:Sulfones
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003176:Complement C3; D011108:Polymers; D013450:Sulfones; C017662:polysulfone P 1700; D015926:Complement C3a; D003165:Complement System Proteins