Biocompatible characteristics of high-performance membranes

Abstract

Interactions of blood with hemodialysis membranes induce activation of blood factors that may cause adverse clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients. The biocompatibility of a hemodialysis membrane is determined by the change in blood factors induced by blood interactions, and it is important that these interactions are mild and well tolerated by dialysis patients. Bioincompatible membranes that activate the complement system and accelerate cytokine production by monocytes may lead to chronic inflammation, dialysis-related amyloidosis, malnutrition, and atherosclerosis. Contact activation by a bioincompatible membrane may also induce an anaphylactoid reaction via bradykinin production. Thus, high-performance membranes should have both the high permeability to uremic substances shown by the glomerular basement membrane and the good biocompatibility of glomerular endothelial cells.