Continuous renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease. The wearable artificial kidney (WAK)

Contrib Nephrol. 2005:149:325-333. doi: 10.1159/000085694.

Abstract

Daily dialysis offers many benefits but is difficult to implement. CRRT allows dialysis 24/7 but is not suitable for ESRD patients. Thus, the need for a miniaturized ambulatory CRRT device those patients can wear permanently. We report the feasibility, safety and efficiency in uremic pigs, of such a wearable artificial kidney (WAK) that can be worn as a belt, operated with batteries, and weights less than 5 lbs. We used a hollow fiber dialyzer with a surface area of 0.2 sqm. Dialysate was continuously regenerated by a series of cartridges containing several sorbents allowing the use of approximately 375 ml of dialysate. The device includes reservoirs with heparin and electrolytes. Average fluid removal was 100 ml/hr. The Creatinine was 25 ml/min. In 8 hrs the total Creatinine removed was 1 gr, Urea 12 gr, P0.8 gr and K 72 mEq. Weekly st kt/v was extrapolated to approximately 7. There were no side effects. The WAK can be operated safely and continuously 168 hr/week. This would allow for all the advantages of daily dialysis and reduce morbidity and mortality in the ESRD population. It will also reduce cost and manpower utilization.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Equipment Design
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy*
  • Kidneys, Artificial*
  • Potassium / blood
  • Renal Replacement Therapy*
  • Safety
  • Swine
  • Urea / blood

Substances

  • Urea
  • Creatinine
  • Potassium