A pilot study comparing the efficiency of a novel asymmetric cellulose triacetate (ATA) dialyser membrane (Solacea-190H) to a standard high flux polysulfone dialyser membrane (FX-80) in the setting of extended hours haemodialysis

Aim: To compare small, middle and large-middle molecule clearance; and expression of markers of inflammation, between Solacea-190H (asymmetric cellulose triacetate [ATA]) and FX-80 dialysers in long-hour haemodialysis patients.

Methods: This pilot, randomized cross-over trial recruited 10 home haemodialysis patients. The total study duration was 8 weeks, using each dialyser for 4 weeks. Removal of small (urea, phosphate, creatinine and indoxyl sulfate [IS]), middle and large-middle molecules (beta-2 microglobulin [β2M], albumin), markers of inflammation (interleukin-6 [IL-6], malondialdehyde-modified low density lipoprotein [MDA-LDL] and alpha-1 microglobulin [α1M]), was evaluated in serum and dialysate samples.

Results: Reduction ratios [RR] were calculated for variables at the fourth week of each dialyzer sequence and results expressed as difference in mean RR between dialyzers. There was no difference in clearance of small molecules, with difference in mean RR for urea -2.43 (95% CI -6.44, 1.57; p = .19), creatinine -1.82 (95% CI -5.50, 1.85; p = .28) and phosphate -2.61 (95% CI -12.45, 7.23; p = .55); clearance of middle and large-middle molecules with difference in mean RR (range) for β2M 2.2 (95% CI -3.2, 7.7; p = .35), IS 1.8 (95% CI -9.5, 13; p = .72) and albumin -0.6 (95% CI -5.5, 4.2; p = .77). There was lack of induction of markers of inflammation, including IL-6 15.2 (95% CI -31.9, 62.2; p = .47), MDA-LDL -8.1 (95% CI -22.1, 5.8; p = .21) and α1M -3.50 (95% CI -29.2, 22.2; p = .76). Dialysate removal results were concurrent.

Conclusion: This study showed no difference in clearance of small, middle and large-middle molecules, nor expression of markers of inflammation between dialysers.