COMPARISON OF HEMODIALYSIS VERSUS HEMOPERFUSION IN THE CLEARANCE OF HIGH-DOSE METHOTREXATE IN PIGS

To evaluate the different capabilities of hemoperfusion (HP) and hemod ialysis (HD) treatment in resolving the side effects during high-dose methotrexate (MTX) therapy, an experimental comparative study was done . Under general anesthesia, 12 female Large-White pigs, 35 +/- 5 kg bo dy weight, underwent a bilateral renal vessel ligature to create an ac ute renal failure and avoid the physiologic elimination of MTX. An MTX i.v. infusion was performed using a dose of 12.5 g/m(2) and for a spe cific time according to its pharmacokinetics. The animals were divided into 2 groups of 6 animals each and connected to the extracorporeal c ircuit; the first group was submitted to a 1-h HP with an anion exchan ge resin (Dow 1X-2, Dow Chemical) and the second group to 1-h HD with capillary polysulfone fibers (F6, Fresenius). Blood samples were taken at established intervals for hematological and biochemical evaluation s. The results demonstrate a higher capability of HP treatment (p < 0. 001) related to HD in MTX removal.