Creating a Small Volume Circuit Suitable for Safety Monitoring Devices of Blood Purification

Abstract

 We created a small volume circuit (36ml) suitable for safety monitoring devices of blood purification and tried to use the circuit in rabbits. Healthy Japanese white rabbits weighing about 3kg were divided into hemodialysis (n=8) and control groups (n=5). Autologous whole blood collected previously was used for priming the circuit, with heparin for anticoagulation and bicarbonate solution for dialysate. On the hemodialysis setting, flow rates for blood and dialysate were both 10ml/min, but ultrafiltration was not performed. Dialysis was performed for 6h, with vital signs monitored hourly. Blood was sampled at baseline, 1, 4, and 6h for blood counts, blood chemistries, and blood gases. Hemodialysis was maintained using the safety monitoring devices in all cases. However, body temperature in the hemodialysis group was lower than control group after the start of hemodialysis. In the hemodialysis group, blood pressure was lower after 5h than at baseline. We conclude that this circuit offers hemodialysis with good safety monitoring in rabbits. However, care should be taken to maintain body temperature and blood pressure at the time of performing hemodialysis in infants.