Examination on the Usefulness of a Specific Stacked Dialyzer AN69 Membrane for Microcirculation in Hemodialysis Patients with PAD Complication

Abstract

　We investigated the usefulness of a specific stacked AN69 membrane dialyzer for peripheral artery disease（PAD）of the lower extremities in hemodialysis patients. Hollow fiber polysulfone（PS）dialyzers were used in 11 patients and 13 limbs with skin perfusion pressure（SPP）values of 40 mmHg or less at the first toe. The peripheral hemodynamics of the lower extremities during dialysis were compared using SPP and infrared thermography when each dialysis membrane was used. Dialysis was judged to be effective when:（1）the SPP value at 240 minutes after the start of dialysis was maintained or increased compared to the value before dialysis, and（2）thermographic images showed improvement in blood flow on the skin surface. The PS membrane did not improve peripheral blood flow in all limbs; however, when the AN69 membrane was used, it improved in 8 of 13 limbs. The AN69 membrane was effective in improving peripheral blood flow in the lower extremities during hemodialysis for PAD.