Authors' objectives:

To summarise the available evidence on the different types of dialyzer membranes for end stage renal disease (ESRD).

Authors' recommendations: After discussing the clinical well stablished factual evidence and from all other considerations identified as relevant for this report it is concluded that hemodialysis practiced by means of conventional (cellulose) membranes is considered apppropiate practice. However, there are selected patient categories where, on indirect evidence, additional benefits could reasonably be presumed for treatment by synthetic membrane dialyzers. These patients may be grouped in the following categories. a) Patients who have comorbidity at the time of dialysis admission. b) Patients developing the same stated comorbidities once having started therapy by conventional membrane dialysis, but after having dealt with all other relevent causal factors unrelated to dialyzer. c) Patients under hemodialysis excluded from transplant waiting lists for definitive medical reasons, whom are expected to be under long term dialysis. d) Patients suffering from acute kidney failure.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.isciii.es/aets

Year Published: 1996

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Spain

Organisation Name: Agencia de Evaluacion de Tecnologias Sanitarias

Contact Address: Instituto de Salud "Carlos III", Calle Sinesio Delgado 6, Pabellon 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain. Tel: +34 9 1 822 2005; Fax: +34 9 1 387 7841;

Contact Name: Luis M. Sánchez Gómez

Contact Email: luism.sanchez@isciii.es

Copyright: Agencia de Evaluacion de Tecnologias Sanitarias (AETS)