Dialyzer Reuse: Interaction Between Dialyzer Membrane, Disinfectant (Formalin), and Blood During Dialyzer Reprocessing |
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Authors: | Yee-Yung Ng An-Hang Yang Kai-Cheng Wong Hui-Yao Lan Tsai-Lu Hung Peter G. Kerr Tung-Po Huang |
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Affiliation: | Department of Medicine and Department of Pathology, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China;Department of Nephrology, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia |
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Abstract: | Abstract: The growing practice of dialyzer reuse in recent years is mainly based on medical and economic considerations. However, adverse reactions such as immunohemolytic anemia due to anti-Nfrom antibody associated with dialyzer reuse have been reported. In this study, scanning electron microscopy and cytologic staining were used to evaluate the interaction between blood components and the reprocessed synthetic dialyzer membrane (polysulfone) after disinfectant (formaldehyde) treatment. The results showed that various blood components such as fibrin and blood cells still adhered to the dialyzer membrane after reprocessing. The study also demonstrated that the adhered denatured blood components could be detached by sonication andlor simulated hemodialysis and then gain access into the circulation. The re-entry of the denatured blood components to the patients exposed to reused dialyzers may result in an enhanced imrnunological response which may contribute to antibody formation (such as anti-Nfrom antibody) with a reused hemodialyzer. |
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Keywords: | Blood Dialyzer reprocessing Disinfectant Formaldehyde Scanning electron microscopy |
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