The polycarbonate hemodialysis membrane: neutrophil, platelet, complement and chemiluminescence kinetics during first and second use.

In a clinical comparative cross-over study of 12 chronically hemodialyzed patients, the polycarbonate hemodialyzer membrane disclosed the following features: A drop in neutrophil count to 45 +/- 11% predialysis values occurred 15 min after the start of dialysis. Plasmatic C3d increased at the initiation of dialysis simultaneously with the nadir of neutropenia but also towards the end of dialysis when neutrophil count was normal. An inhibition of chemiluminescence of neutrophils isolated 5 and 15 min after the start of dialysis was noted. Reuse of the membrane induced during the second use a significant aggravation of neutropenia (36 +/- 23% at 15 min), a drop in platelet count (91 +/- 10% at 15 min) and a return to normal of chemiluminescence. When compared to the results observed with cuprophane and polyacrilonitrile membranes in the sam patients, the polycarbonate membrane seems to possess intermediate biocompatibility properties.