Quantitative analysis of pulsatile flow contribution to ultrafiltration.
We evaluated the quantitative contribution of pulsatile flow to ultrafiltration (UF) in terms of fluid power, membrane stretch, and reduction of membrane layering. An in vitro comparison of the UF rate using pulsatile and roller pumps was performed with distilled water and bovine whole blood. The mean transmembrane pressure (TMPm) and UF rate were higher with the pulsatile pump for the same mean flow rate: 6.6 mm Hg and 21.1 mL/min higher on average for distilled water and 34.2 mm Hg and 31.4 mL/min higher on average for blood. The average UF rate was 8.4 mL/min higher with the pulsatile pump for the same TMPm with bovine blood. However, the relationship between the UF rate and the TMPm was independent of the flow configuration for distilled water. We showed that the higher UF rate in the pulsatile pump is mainly due to greater fluid power and reduction of membrane layering, while the membrane stretch was not an important factor.
Lim
Ki Moo
KM
Interdisciplinary Program in Bioengineering Major, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Park
Joong Yull
JY
Lee
Jung Chan
JC
Kim
Jeong Chul
JC
Min
Byoung Goo
BG
Kang
Eung Taeck
ET
Shim
Eun Bo
EB
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006440:Hemofiltration; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D011673:Pulsatile Flow