Evaluation of three dry-sterilized hollow fiber artifical kidneys.

We investigated three new dry sterilized hollow fiber artificial kidneys (HFAK) (Cordis Dow CDAK 1.3, Travenol CF 1200, Extracorporeal Tri-Ex 1). Dry sterilization makes these dialyzers more economical by shortening set-up time. Dry sterilization also eliminates iatrogenic administration of residual sterilant. Water of imbibition can significantly increase the blood compartment volume of the dialyzer during dialysis. Consequently, a corrected blood volume for each dialyzer was established; these corrected volumes varied from 13--36% greater than the volume determined before dialysate flow. With low dose heparinization of these dialyzers there was between an 18 and 45% decrease in the post dialysis volume, presumably due to fiber clotting during dialysis. This volume added to the residual blood loss measured by a colorimetric technique accounted for a possible blood loss ranging between 26.9 and 53.9 ml per dialysis for these three dialyzers. Our results suggest that a relationship between dialyzer clotting and decreased dialyzer efficiency may exist. These three capillary flow dialyzers had a much lower platelet drop (0--9% pre to post) when compared to 30--40% drop of flat plate dialyzers. These dialyzers were found to be safe and easy to use but the high fiber clotting warrants further investigation in chronic dialysis patients on high dose heparin.