Renal replacement therapy membranes

Congenital nephrotic syndrome of the Finnish type is clinically characterized by heavy proteinuria present already in utero, which leads without nephrectomy and renal replacement therapy to the death of the affected children usually before the second year of life. Electronoptically, the glomerular basement membrane seems to be intact with the fusion of the podocyte foot processes. The chemical composition of the glomerular basement membrane is normal in patients with congenital nephrotic syndrome and all genes of the main proteins of the glomerular... 

As of 1995, more than 30 different polymer blends were being used in the manufacture of membranes for hemodialysis and hemofiltration (Klinkmann and Vienken, 1995). The various membrane types used for renal replacement therapy can be divided into membranes derived from cellulose (83 percent of 1991 worldwide total) and from synthetic materials (the remaining 17 percent) (Klinkmann and Vienken, 1995). Synthetic membranes have been constructed from such materials as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polysulfone, polyamide, polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, and ethyl-vinylalchohol copolymer (Klinkmann and Vienken, 1995). In the United States, use of cellulosic materials for membrane construction predominates at around 95 percent of the total number of membranes used (Klinkmann and Vienken, 1995). 

Jones, C. H., Continuous renal replacement therapy in acute renal failure membranes for CRRT, Am/. Organs, 1998 22(l) 2-7. 

Unfortunately and despite many improvements in polymer behavior and performance, dialysis as a membrane-based procedure for blood purification is stiU an incomplete renal replacement therapy, as the mortality and morbidity of the affected patients remain high compared to the healthy population. To date, the following questions have not yet been answered satisfactorily ... 

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