Hemodialysis (HD) is a dynamic process, which occurs during movement through a semipermeable membrane, water soluble substances of low molecular weight. Transport across the membranes of low-flux (LF) dialyzers is based mainly on diffusion and through the membranes of high-flux (HF) dialyzers, diffusion and convection. The aim of the study was to compare the adequacy of hemodialyses conducted on the basis of the low-flux dialyzers with polysulfone membrane, and the high-flux dialyzers with helixone membrane.
Material and methods: The study included 60 patients (23 women and 37 men) aged 24-84 years (mean 60.73 +/- 15.75) treated with maintenance hemodialysis (three times per week). The study enrolled clinically stable patients after a minimum 3-months period of HD. Blood tests were performed 1 time a month before the middle week dialysis session. For the first six months HD was based on LF dialyzers with polysulfone membrane, and then for an additional 6 months based on HF dialyzers with helixone membrane.
Results: The performed study demonstrated a statistically significant higher values of: spKtV and URR% and lower values of the urea before and after HD sessions performed based on HF-HD as compared with LF-HD (spKt/V LF = 1.26 +/- 0.23 vs. spKtV HF = 1.37 +/- 0.17; p < 0.001, URR% LF = 66.74 +/- 5.86 vs. URR% HF = 70.57 +/- 3.71; p < 0.001, urea before LF-HD = 21.57 +/- 4.57 mmol/I vs. HF-HD = 20.57 +/- 4.21 mmol/I; p < 0.01 and the urea after LF. HD = 7.19 +/- 2.25 mmol/l vs. HF-HD = 6.03 +/- 1.55 mmol/l; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The study showed better adequacy of HD treatment performed based on the high-flux dialyzers with helixone membrane as compared with low-flux dialyzers with polysulfone membrane.