前列腺癌血清PSA、f/tPSA与Gleason评分、临床分期的相关性研究

目的 探讨前列腺癌病人血清PSA、f/tPSA（血清游离PSA与总PSA的比值）与前列腺癌Gleason评分、临床分期的相关性.方法 查阅我院1998年1月～2005年6月归档的前列腺癌病历资料,建立临床资料数据库,对归档病理切片进行Gleason评分.采用Spearman等级相关分析,分析血清PSA、f/tPSA与前列腺癌Gleason评分、临床分期的关系.结果 269例前列腺癌中,前列腺癌PSA值与Gleason评分呈正相关（r=0.361,P＜0.01）,与前列腺癌临床分期呈正相关（r=0.586,P＜0.01）;f/tPSA与Gleason评分有弱负相关（r=-0.128,P=0.035）,与前列腺癌临床分期呈负相关（r=-0.226,P＜0.01）.结论 血清PSA、f/tPSA与前列腺癌预后密切相关的指标临床分期和Gleason评分有关.     

前列腺癌的声像特征及血清PSA与Gleason评分、临床分期的相关性研究

目的 探讨前列腺癌(PCa)患者的声像图、血清PSA与PCa Gleason评分、临床分期的相关性.方法 回顾性分析经直肠超声引导下穿刺活检确诊的220例PCa患者的临床资料和声像图表现.采用Spearman等级相关分析和秩和检验,分析血清PSA水平与Gleason评分、临床分期的关系.结果 超声显示有异常回声结节178例.其中145例为低回声结节,42例在声像图上未发现异常.PCa患者Gleason评分越高,临床分期越晚,PSA值越高.血清PSA水平分别与Gleason评分(r=0.275,P＜0.01)、临床分期(r=0.314,P＜0.01)呈正相关;Gleason评分与临床分期亦呈正相关(r=0.325,P＜0.01).结论 前列腺内部低回声结节是PCa主要超声表现,血清PSA与Gleason评分和PCa临床分期有关,该指标可作为判断PCa预后的指标.     

血清PSA值与穿刺标本Gleason评分预测前列腺癌病理分级

目的 探讨准确有效预测前列腺癌病理分级的方法.方法 分析75例前列腺癌患者术前血清PSA水平、穿刺活检标本和前列腺癌根治术后标本Gleason评分资料,对血清PSA水平与根治术后标本Gleason评分进行等级相关分析,对穿刺活检标本与根治术后标本Gleason评分进行配对秩和检验.结果 75例患者术前血清PSA值4～230 ng/ml,平均33.5 ng/ml;穿刺活检标本Gleason评分2～9分,平均(4.4±2.3)分;根治术后标本Gleason评分2～10分,平均(4.8±2.5)分.术前血清PSA水平与根治术后标本Gleason评分呈正相关(rs=0.279,P=0.015),穿刺活检标本与根治术后标本Gleason评分差异有统计学意义(P=0.011).结论 前列腺癌患者术前血清PSA水平越高,根治术后标本Gleason评分也越高;穿刺标本Gleason评分有低估的缺点,必要时应行病理分级后再评估.     

穿刺标本Gleason评分预测前列腺癌病理分级准确性的研究

目的 分析前列腺癌患者穿刺标本与根治术标本Gleason评分的相关性,探讨影响穿刺标本Gleason评分准确性的可能因素.方法 回顾性分析86例接受根治性前列腺切除术的前列腺癌患者资料,比较穿刺标本与根治术标本Gleason评分的符合情况,应用二分类Logistic回归分析筛选影响穿刺标本Gleason评分准确性的可能因素.结果 86例患者穿刺标本平均Gleason评分为6.1,根治术标本平均Gleason评分为6.5,穿刺标本与根治术标本Gleason评分相比,评分相符42例(48.8%),评分偏低32例(37.2%),评分偏高1 2例(14.0%),差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05),偏差与患者年龄、血清PSA、前列腺体积、临床分期无显著相关性(P＞0.05),与穿刺针数(OR=2.905)及穿刺阳性率(OR=4.225)有显著相关(P＜0.05).结论 穿刺针数与穿刺阳性针数百分比是影响穿刺标本Gleason评分准确性的可能因素,增加前列腺穿刺活检针数将可能有助于提高穿刺标本预测前列腺癌病理分级的准确性.     

前列腺癌患者血清胱抑素C水平与临床评分相关性研究

目的:探讨前列腺癌患者血清胱抑素C(Cystatin C)水平与Gleason评分分数、总前列腺特异性抗原(tPSA)水平及临床分期的相关性。方法:纳入我院前列腺癌患者共142例(前列腺癌组),建立临床资料数据库,对病理切片应用Gleason分级系统对前列腺癌进行组织学分级,使用25.0版本的SPSS软件对数据进行统计学分析,应用t检验对计量资料进行比较。对于不同Gleason评分、不同临床分期、不同tPSA水平的前列腺癌患者与血清Cystatin C水平的相关关系采用Spearman等级相关性检验;对血清Cystatin C含量与年龄的相关性采用Pearson相关分析。以P0.05为差异有统计学意义。结果:142例前列腺癌组患者Cystatin C水平高于166例健康对照组,差异有统计学意义[(1.27±0.55) mg/L vs.(0.94±0.18) mg/L,P0.001]。在59例有Gleason评分的前列腺癌患者中,血清Cystatin C含量在Gleason评分各组中的差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。45例已分期前列腺癌患者中,血清Cystatin C水平与前列腺癌临床分期呈正相关(r=0.386,P0.01),Cystatin C含量越高,临床分期越晚。在142例已测tPSA水平前列腺癌患者中,经分析显示,前列腺癌Cystatin C水平与tPSA水平无显著相关性,且差异无统计学意义(r=0.098,P0.05)。结论:血清Cystatin C水平对于前列腺癌的早期诊断及临床分期具有重要意义。     

穿刺前列腺癌Gleason评分与血清PSA的相关性分析

目的:探讨穿刺前列腺癌Gleason评分与血清PSA水平的相关性。方法:收集我院2011年5月~2014年6月经前列腺穿刺确诊为前列腺癌且临床资料完整的患者标本81例,对其穿刺组织的Gleason评分与血清PSA水平进行Spearman等级相关性分析。结果:前列腺癌组织Gleason评分与患者血清PSA水平呈正相关(r=0.347,P0.01),PSA值越高,Gleason评分越高。结论:前列腺癌患者血清PSA水平与Gleason评分相关。     

新辅助内分泌治疗对临床局限性前列腺癌手术病理和生化复发的影响

目的 了解新辅助内分泌治疗(NHT)对临床局限性前列腺癌手术病理和生化复发的影响.方法 经直肠前列腺穿刺活检确诊的52例临床局限性前列腺癌患者,分为联合治疗组(NHT之后行手术治疗,26例)和单纯手术组(26例),均由同一医师行开放性经耻骨后根治性前列腺切除术.统计2组手术时间、出血量、术后住院时间、PSA水平、穿刺组织和手术标本的Gleason评分、临床分期和病理分期及无生化复发生存率.用独立样本t检验比较2组手术时间、出血量、术后住院时间及PSA水平.用秩和检验比较2组穿刺和术后病理的Gleason评分、临床分期和病理分期.用配对t检验比较联合治疗组NHT治疗前后PSA水平的变化.用配对秩和检验比较穿刺组织和手术标本分期和Gleason评分的变化.用Fisher精确概率法比较2组Gleason评分和分期变化的比例.用Kaplan-Meier法分析术后无生化复发生存率.结果 联合治疗组和单纯手术组平均手术时间分别为184.3、183.2 min,平均出血量分别为1275.0、1411.5 ml,平均术后住院时间分别为10.1、13.2 d,2组比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).就诊时的平均PSA水平分别为28.11、18.40ng/ml(P＞0.05),联合治疗组患者经平均6.58个月NHT治疗后.平均PSA水平降至0.53 ng/ml(P＜0.01).联合治疗组穿刺组织和手术标本平均Gleason评分分别为7.46和7.62(P＞0.05),单纯手术组分别为6.46和7.31(P＜0.01).联合治疗组穿刺Gleason评分高于单纯手术组(P＜0.05),而2组手术标本Glesaon评分比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).联合治疗组临床分期为T2 12例(46%)、T3 14例(54%),单纯手术组T1 1例(4%)、T2 21例(81%)、T3 4例(15%),2组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).联合治疗组病理分期T2 19例(73%),T3 7例(27%),单纯手术组T2 19例(73%)、T3 7例(27%),2组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).联合治疗组病理分期低于临床分期(P＜0.01),单纯手术组的病理分期和临床分期差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).随访2～81个月,2组分别平均随访时间29.4、31.4个月.2组的1年无生化复发率分别为71%(10/14)和80%(16/20,P＞0.05),2年无生化复发率为56%(5/9)和60%(9/15,P＞0.05).结论 NHT治疗不会增加临床局限性前列腺癌患者的手术风险.对患者术后病理分期与Gleason评分有一定改善,对术后无生化复发生存率可能有积极影响.     

经腹腔途径腹腔镜前列腺癌根治术后切缘阳性的影响因素分析

目的探讨经腹腔途径腹腔镜前列腺癌根治术后切缘阳性的相关影响因素。方法 2009年9月至2014年5月,采用经腹腔途径行腹腔镜下前列腺癌根治术61例。患者年龄56~74岁,平均71岁。术前均经直肠超声引导下穿刺病理证实前列腺癌诊断。通过回顾性研究了解术前血清前列腺特异性抗原(PSA)、穿刺后Gleason评分、穿刺针数阳性百分率,术前TNM分期对手术切缘阳性的影响。结果61例前列腺癌患者术后切缘阳性率19.7%(12/61),病理分期与手术切缘阳性成正相关(γ=0.311,P=0.001),且对手术切缘阳性有统计学意义(χ~2=16.32,P=0.001);对于手术切缘阳性率,术前血清PSA20ng/ml组与血清PSA≥20ng/ml组比较,差异有统计学意义(χ~2=7.32,P=0.007);穿刺后Gleason评分7分组与Gleason评分≥7分组差异无统计学意义了(χ~2=1.43,P=0.23);穿刺针数阳性百分率,50%组与≥50%组差异有统计学意义(χ~2=4.32,P=0.017)。结论穿刺后TNM分期,血清PSA水平,穿刺阳性百分率的差异对手术切缘阳性有统计学意义。前列腺癌穿刺标本Gleason评分与术后病理切缘之间无相关性。     

前列腺癌组织中PSA、Ki-67的表达及其临床意义

目的:探讨前列腺特异性抗原(PSA)、Ki-67在前列腺癌组织中的表达与Gleason评分的相关性。方法:采用免疫组化SP法检测43例前列腺癌患者术后石蜡包埋组织中PSA、Ki-67的表达,并根据苏木精-伊红(HE)切片进行Gleason评分。同时,对患者的术前血总前列腺特异性抗原(tPSA)值和对应HE切片中的组织PSA进行比较。结果:在前列腺癌组织中PSA阳性率为93.0%(40/43),其表达量与Gleason评分呈负相关(r=-0.612,P=0.000)。Ki-67阳性表达率为90.7%(39/43),其表达与Gleason评分呈正相关(r=0.696,P=0.000)。PSA与Ki-67在前列腺癌组织中的表达呈无相关性(r=-0.163,P=0.296)。在术前取患者外周血tPSA与癌组织的PSA相比也呈明显的正相关性(r=0.814,P=0.000)。结论:Gleason评分越高,PSA表达越弱,Ki-67表达越强,前列腺癌组织分化程度越差,预后越差。明确前列腺癌Gleason分级,及检测PSA和Ki-67的表达有利于对患者的预后进行评估。     

局限性前列腺癌腹腔镜根治性切除术术前与术后病理特征的比较

目的比较不同分组局限性前列腺癌患者术前与腹腔镜前列腺根治性切除术后Gleason评分的变化,分析低危组Gleason评分升级的危险因素。方法回顾性分析了2009年1月至2019年1月我院局限性前列腺癌行腹腔镜前列腺根治性切除术患者的临床资料。收集患者的年龄、前列腺体积、前列腺特异性抗原(PSA)、组织活检针数、阳性针数、组织活检Gleason评分、cTNM、术后病理Gleason评分和pTNM,根据前列腺癌风险分级分组。结果本研究共纳入346例患者,低危组63例、中危组163例、高危组120例。术后出现Gleason评分升级的患者中低危组23例(35.93%)、中危组37例(22.70%)、高危组41例(34.17%)。低危组前列腺癌Gleason评分升级组与未升级组之间术前PSA水平、穿刺阳性率及前列腺体积差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,低危组中前列腺体积小、术前PSA水平高是腹腔镜前列腺根治术后病理升级的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。结论术前穿刺病理与术后病理结果的Gleason评分相比术前穿刺病理的Gleason评分明显被低估;低危组中前列腺体积较小与术前PSA水平高的患者可能更适合手术治疗。     

Vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction during major abdominal surgery

Background : We investigated the vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction (MT) with hypotension due to prostacyclin (PGI₂) release in patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a combined general and epidural anesthesia. Methods : In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study we administered 400 mg ibuprofen (i.v.) in 42 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. General anesthesia was combined with epidural anesthesia (T4-L1). Before as well as 5, 15, 30, 45, and 90 min after MT we recorded plasma osmolality, hemodynamics and measured 6-keto-PGFlα (stabile metabolite of PGI₂), TXB₂ (stabile metabolite of thromboxane A₂) active renin, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Catecholamine levels were assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. Results : Following MT, arterial hypotension occurred along with a substantial PGI₂ release. This was completely abolished by ibuprofen administration. Although plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α (1133 (708) vs. 60 (3) ng/L, median (median absolute deviation), P=0.0001, placebo vs. ibuprofen) remained significantly elevated, blood pressure was restored within 30 min after MT in the placebo group. At the same point in time plasma concentrations of TXB² (164 (87) vs. 58 (1) ng/L, P=0.0001), epinephrine (46 (33) vs. 14 (6) ng/L, P=0.001), AVP (41 ± (18) vs. 12 (7) ng/L, P=0.0004), and active renin (27 (12) vs. 12 (4) ng/L, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in placebo-treated patients. Conclusion : Under combined general and epidural anesthesia arterial hypotension following MT due to endogenous PGI₂ release is associated with enhanced release of AVP, active renin, epinephrine and thromboxane A₂, presumably contributing to hemodynamic stability within 30 min after MT.     

A comparison of the inhibitory effects of four volatile anaesthetics on the metabolism of chlorzoxazone, a substrate for CYP2E1, in rabbits

Background: Halothane inhibits in vitro and in vivo activity of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2E1. There are several fluorinated volatile anaesthetics besides halothane, and most of them are defluorinated by CYP2E1. It is unclear whether other fluorinated anaesthetics inhibit the in vivo activity of CYP2E1.
Methods: We compared the inhibitory effects of therapeutic concentrations of four inhalational anaesthetics, halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, on chlorzoxazone metabolism in rabbits receiving artificial ventilation.
Results: All four inhalational anaesthetics decreased arterial blood pressure and increased plasma chlorzoxazone concentration. However, no significant differences in the plasma chlorzoxazone concentration were found between the four anaesthetics. The estimated chlorzoxazone clearance increased after beginning inhalation with all four agents, but no significant difference in clearance was noted between agents.
Conclusions: At therapeutic concentrations, the in vivo inhibitory effect on chlorzoxazone metabolism was similar for all four inhalational anaesthetics examined, even though their chemical characteristics and extent of hepatic metabolism differ considerably.     

A Teaspoon Pump for Pumping Blood with High Hydraulic Efficiency and Low Hemolysis Potential

Abstract: Virtually all blood pumps contain some kind of rubbing, sliding, closely moving machinery surfaces that are exposed to the blood being pumped. These valves, internal bearings, magnetic bearing position sensors, and shaft seals cause most of the problems with blood pumps. The original teaspoon pump design prevented the rubbing, sliding machinery surfaces from contacting the blood. However, the hydraulic efficiency was low because the blood was able to "slip around" the rotating impeller so that the blood itself never rotated fast enough to develop adequate pressure. An improved teaspoon blood pump has been designed and tested and has shown acceptable hydraulic performance and low hemolysis potential. The new pump uses a nonrotating "swinging" hose as the pump impeller. The fluid enters the pump through the center of the swinging hose; therefore, there can be no fluid slip between the revolving blood and the revolving impeller. The new pump uses an impeller that is comparable to a flexible garden hose. If the free end of the hose were swung around in a circle like half of a jump rope, the fluid inside the hose would rotate and develop pressure even though the hose impeller itself did not "rotate"; therefore, no rotating shaft seal or internal bearings are required.     

Is the recovery profile of mivacurium independent of the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with normal plasma cholinesterase activity?

Background: The duration of action of muscle relaxants is poorly correlated to the rate of decay of their plasma concentration. The plasma concentration of mivacurium may rapidly decrease below its active concentration because of the extensive hydrolysis of mivacurium. By inflating a tourniquet on one upper limb for 3 min after the administration of atracurium, mivacurium or vecuronium, we studied the influence of the initial decline of their plasma concentration on their effect. Methods: In 50 patients anaesthetised with thiopental, isoflurane and fentanyl, the effect of bolus doses of 0.15 or 0.25 mg . kg^?1 mivacurium (MIV 15, MIV 25), 0.3 or 0.5 mg . kg^?1 atracurium (ATR 30, ATR 50) and 0.06 or 0.1 mg . kg^?1 vecuronium (VEC 06, VEC 10) were measured on both arms (evoked response of the adductor pollicis to train-of-four stimulation every 12 s), a tourniquet being applied on one arm just before and during 3 min after the muscle relaxant bolus. Results: Tourniquet inflation of 3 min almost abolished the neuromuscular effect of mivacurium. In the vecuronium groups and in the ATR 50 group, tourniquet inflation did not modify the maximum degree of depression of the twitch response. Also, the duration of action of vecuronium was unaffected by the tourniquet. In the ATR 30 group, times to return of the twitch response to 25% (duration 25%) and 75% (duration 75%) of control response were significantly shorter in the cuffed arm, 23 min vs 27 min, and 41 min vs 45 min, respectively. In the ATR 50 group, only duration 25% was significantly shorter in the cuffed arm (41 min vs 45 min). Conclusion: The results suggest that the rate of decline of the plasma concentration of mivacurium is so rapid, that a very low and almost clinically ineffective concentration is present as soon as 3 min after its administration. The results also indicate that the recovery from a mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade is not influenced by the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with genotypically normal plasma cholinesterase.     

Membranes in Artificial Organs

Abstract: Membrane processes play a pivotal and enabling role in modern replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure and in the management of immunologic diseases. In fact, virtually all contemporary extracorporeal blood purification methods employ membrane devices, and the next generation of artificial organs and tissue engineering therapies are almost certain to be similarly grounded in membrane technology. In this short essay, we comment on the similarities and differences among synthetic membranes and their natural counterparts and also provide a critical overview of the demographics and technology of hemodialysis, hemofiltration, apheresis, oxygenation, and emerging membrane technologies and applications.     

Microspheres Based Detoxification System: A New Method in Convective Blood Purification

Abstract: A variety of protein-bound or hydrophobic substances, accumulating as a result of pathologic conditions such as exogenous or endogenous intoxications, are removed poorly by conventional detoxification methods because of low accessibility (hemodialysis), insufficient adsorption capabilities (hemosorption), low efficiency (peritoneal dialysis), or economic limitations (high-volume plasmapheresis). Combining advantages of existing methods with microspheric technology, a module-based system was designed. Major operating parameters of the latter can be modified to allow for adjustment to individual clinical situations. An extracorporeal blood circuit including a plasmafilter is combined with a secondary high-velocity plasma circuit driven by a centrifugal pump. Different microspheric adsorbers can be combined in one circuit or applied in sequence. Thus, a prolonged treatment can be tailored using specially designed selective adsorber materials. Comparing this system with existing methods (high-flux hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system), results from our in vitro studies and animal experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of substance removal.     

Tissue perfusion in relation to cardiac output during continuous positive-pressure ventilation and administration of propranolol or verapamil

Background : Our objective was to determine whether administration of propranolol or verapamil modifies the hemodynamic adaptation to continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV), in particular the regional distribution of cardiac output (CO).
Methods : General hemodynamics and regional blood flows assessed by microsphere technique (15 (μm) were recorded in 16 anesthetized pigs during spontaneous breathing (SB) and CPPV with 8 cm H₂O end-expiratory pressure (CPPV8) before and after intravenous administration of propranolol (0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.15 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8) or verapamil (0.1 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8).
Results : CPPV8 depressed CO by 25% without shifts in its relative distribution with the exception of a noteworthy increase in adrenal perfusion. Propranolol increased arterial blood pressure, and due to a fall in heart rate, CO dropped by 25%. The kidneys and, to a lesser extent, the splanchic region and central nervous system received increased fractions of the remaining CO at the expense of skeletal muscle flow. Similar patterns were seen during SB and CPPV8 such that the combination of propranolol and CPPV8 depressed CO by 50%. The circulatory effects of verapamil were less evident but myocardial perfusion tended to increase.
Conclusions : The combination of propranolol or verapamil with CPPV does not result in any specific hemodynamic interaction in anesthetized pigs, except that the combined effect of propranolol and CPPV may severely reduce CO.     

Volatile anaesthetics reduce adhesion of blood platelets under low-flow conditions in the coronary system of isolated guinea pig hearts

Background : Inhibitory effects of volatile anaesthetics on platelet aggregation have been demonstrated in several studies. However, the influence of volatile anaesthetics on intracoronary platelet adhesion has not been elucidated so far.
Methods : Isolated hearts of guinea pigs were perfused with buffer in the absence or presence of volatile anaesthetics (0.5 and 1 MAC) at constant coronary flow rates of 5 ml/min for 25 min, then 1 ml/min for 30 min and again 5 ml/min for 10 min. Before, during and after low-flow perfusion, a bolus of human platelets was applied into the coronary system. To simulate thrombogenic conditions, 0.3 U/ml human thrombin was infused during low-flow perfusion and reperfusion. The number of platelets sequestered to the endothelium was calculated from the difference between coronary in- and output of platelets. The myocardial production of lactate and consumption of pyruvate and coronary perfusion pressure were also determined.
Results : At a flow rate of 5 ml/min only about 3% of the applied platelets did not emerge from the coronary system, in any group. In contrast, 13.1±1.2% (mean±SEM) of infused platelets became adherent in low-flow perfusion in the control group without anaesthetic. The adherence was reduced with each 1 MAC isoflurane (to 6.2±1.2%), sevoflurane (to 4.4±0.9%) or halothane (to 3.2±1.5%) (each P <0.05 vs. control). Volatile anaesthetic, 0.5 MAC, did not inhibit platelet adhesion to a statistically significant extent in any case. Perfusion pressure and metabolic parameters were not statistically different between the control and the hearts exposed to anaesthetics.
Conclusion : Volatile anaesthetics in a concentration of 1 MAC can reduce the adhesion of platelets in the coronary system under reduced flow conditions. This action does not arise from vasodilation or inhibition of ischaemic stress.     

Bariatric Surgery in Some "Central and East-European (former Eastern bloc)"Countries - Current Status and Prediction for the Next Millennium

Background: Obesity is increasing globallly, including in the formerly "Eastern Bloc" countries. Methods: A survey was made of obesity and bariatric surgery. Results: In the 8 East and Central European countries studied, with total population 300 million, roughly 43% of the population was overweight (BMI 25-30), 23% obese (BMI > 30), with about 15 million people morbidly obese (BMI > 40). From 0-10 morbidly obese individuals/100,000/year undergo bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Most countries were found to provide inadequate treatment for obesity.The majority of the morbidly obese are not treated effectively. However, health-care awareness of obesity and bariatric surgeons are slowly increasing.     

Dilemma of Membrane Biocompatibility and Reuse

Abstract: Numerous articles have been published on the multiple use of dialyzers and on the effect of different reprocessing chemicals and techniques on the dialyzer biocompatibility and performance. The results often appear contradictory, especially those comparing standard biocompatibility parameters. Despite this confusion, a discerning review of the published works allows certain limited conclusions to be drawn. Reprocessing of used hemodialyzers changes the biocompatibility profile of a dialyzer as defined by the parameters complement activation. leukopenia, and cytokine release. The effect of reprocessing depends on the chemicals and reprocessing technique applied and also on the type of membrane polymer being subjected to the reprocessing procedure. Reports of pyrogenic reactions indicate that the flux of the membrane also influences how suitable it is for safe reuse. An increased risk of allergic and pyrogenic reactions appears to be associated with dialyzer reuse. Furthermore, there has been a lack of investigations into the immunologic effect of the layer of adsorbed and chemically altered proteins that remains on the inner surface of reprocessed dialyzers. We conclude that the clinical benefit of dialyzer reuse cannot be generally accepted from a biocompatibility point of view.