Association between Lifetime of various Filters and Coagulation in CRRT

Abstract

One of the frequent problems leading to cessation of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is coagulation of the blood circuit attached to the dialysis machine. Also, the close association between coagulation of the blood circuit and filter materials is well known. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the lifetimes of 4 different types of filters -- polymethylmethacrylate acetate (PMMA) (n=16), polysulfon (PS) (n=91), polyethersulfone (PES) (n=39) and cellulose triacetate(CTA) (n=25)-- in patients who received CRRT from October 2009 year to January 2013 years (n means a number of sessions of CRRT). The average lifetime of the (PMMA) filter (n=16) was the shortest among the 4 filters. Besides, elevation of transmembrane pressure (TMP) was the second highest cause of discontinuing CRRT. Among the 4 types of filters, elevation of TMP was found more frequently in CTA and PMMA than in PES and PS. From these findings, it appears that filter materials are closely associated with the lifetime of filters in CRRT.