LONG-TERM COMPARATIVE-EVALUATION OF SYNTHETIC AND CELLULOSIC MEMBRANES IN DIALYSIS

A long-term retrospective evaluation (5 years) compares two groups of RDT patients (group 1 on continuous treatment with cellulosic membrane s and group 2 with synthetic membranes) regarding survival, general cl inical morbidity, and beta(2)M-related morbidity. The results showed n o significant long-term differences between the groups either for surv ival or general morbidity despite some differences in biocompatibility . The higher intradialytic removal of beta(2)M by synthetic membranes did not lead to a reduction in either pre-dialysis beta(2)M values or beta(2)M related morbidity. The higher cost of synthetic over cellulos ic membranes and the disappointing of many clinical expectations sugge st that the use of such membranes, in association with alternative tec hniques, should fake place only according to certain ''elective'' indi cations such as old age, diabetes, vascular instability or intradialyt ic disequilibrium syndrome.