DIALYSIS MEMBRANE ADSORPTION DURING CRRT

Experimental and clinical studies have suggested that dialysis membran e biocompatibility may influence the morbidity and mortality of patien ts with acute renal failure, Complement activation by dialysis membran es may also prolong the recovery from acute renal failure, In this art icle, we review the concept of dialysis membrane adsorption, with part icular attention to adsorption/inhihition of factor D, a highly specif ic serine protease of the alternative pathway of complement, The adsor ptive properties of some dialysis membranes may be useful during conti nuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT) in critically ill patients. ( C) 1997 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.