Dialyser.....

Haemodialysis as a treatment option for End Stage Renal Failure (ESRF), the treatment process requires a number of components such as dialysis machine, RO system, disposables such as dialyser, bloodlines sets, AVF needles and pharmaceutical products such as Heparin solution and intravenous Normal Saline.

So what is a dialyser....?

Dialyser is basically a filter. It filters the metabolic waste products such as urea and creatinine and also excess water from the body of the patient. In access, these metabolic waste products causes complications and mayresult in death. The dialyser contains a number of parts; the outer casing, the end caps and hollow fibers. The outer casing and end caps are made of polycarbonate and the hollow-fibers are made from semi-pearmeable membrane eith from Cellulosic or semi-synthetic / synthetic materials.

The dialyser performance is determined by its semi-permeable membrane "clearance" which being the ability to remove metabolic waste products of a certain molecular weight and size range such as urea and creatinine and has the ability to retain needed peptides and protein which is of the larger molecular weight and size range in the blood.

The general consideration for selection of dialysers for patients are based on a number of fundamental requirements:

1. The treatment needs of the patient.
2. The bigger the surface area of the semi-permeable membrane the better.
3.The higher level of "clearance" of the low molecular weight waste products the better and the removal of higher molecular weight waste products if possible such as Beta2 Microgobulin.
4.Having the best "blood bio-compatibility" semi-permeable membrane is desirable for long term outcome results.

The other considerations are......

1. To have a smallest of extra-corporeal blood volume possible during treatment.
2. To ensure the patient does not have dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DSS) or similar effects.

The preferred immediate post treatment outcome is to have a patient who is feeling much better than when he arrives, having normal vitals signs and able to carry out his daily activities with restriction.

The prefered long term treatment outcome is able to return to normal life with minimal complications and hospitalizations.