title: In vitro performance characteristics of a high-flux hemodialyzer with a novel polyester-polymer-alloy (PEPA) membrane.
abstract: Despite improvements in hemodialyzers with respect to their clearance of middle and high molecular mass molecules, accumulation of specific solutes in the circulation of dialysis patients continues to be a medical problem. A new membrane material, polyester-polymer alloy (PEPA) which has been developed to have a filtration profile akin to that of the natural kidney, is now being used in hemodialyzers. This study evaluates the performance of a PEPA-based hemodialyzer alongside a selection of available competing high-flux dialyzers using official standardized methods. The new membrane material appears to be a viable alternative which offers performance at least as good as that of the competition. The promising results obtained with the PEPA membrane suggest that a detailed clinical performance study should be undertaken.
authors: Institute of Cell and Protein Engineering, Hannover, Germany.
authors: M D
authors: MD
authors: Smith
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Mahiout
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers