In this study the clearance characteristics of the two most widely used membrane systems (cellulose nitrate and cellulose acetate) were compared in order to obtain the best coating material for hemoperfusion. The columns containing uncoated or coated charcoal granules were tested using creatinine, uric acid and vitamin B-12. The platelet loss were also analyzed using bovine blood. The membrane thickness was kept constant (0.5% by weight) in all membrane systems. Due to the simple coating procedure, cellulose nitrate coating, which also has good biocompatibility and high removal rates for toxins, was found to be preferable.
