Abstract
We compared the effect of a constant versus a decreasing ultrafiltration rate during hemodialysis on plasma viscosity, erythrocyte aggregation (hematocrit adjusted to 40%) and blood viscosity (hematocrit 40%; shear rates 23.04, 46.08, 115.2 and 230.4/″) in 5 woman and 10 men with chronic renal failure due to different origins, mean age 67.3 ± 6.7 years. Measurements were done before and after dialysis. The regimen with a constant ultrafiltration rate increased plasma viscosity (1.36 ± 0.09 to 1.48 ± 0.16 cPs, P < 0.01) and blood viscosity at high shear (230.4/″; 3.51 ± 0.34 to 3.91 ± 0.73 cPs, p < 0.05), the other parameters remained unchanged. There was a good correlation to the change in protein concentration before and after dialysis due to hemoconcentration (6.61 ± 0.54 to 7.51 ± 1.02 mg%, r = 0.85, p < 0.01). The regimen with a decreasing ultrafiltration rate caused no significant change in the rheological parameters. The weight loss was comparable in both regimens. We conclude that a decreasing ultrafiltration rate during hemodialysis is associated with less disturbances of rheology.
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