Polyacrilonytrile versus cuprophan membranes for hemodialysis: evaluation of efficacy and biocompatibility by platelet aggregation studies.

The short- and long-term effect of hemodialysis with two different membranes -- cuprophan and polyacrilonytrile -- on platelet aggregation has been investigated in 12 uremic patients undergoing extracorporeal dialysis, passing from one treatment to the other. Cuprophan membranes failed to correct the defective platelet aggregation of uremia, and their thrombogenicity was documented by a fall in platelet count and further impairment of platelet aggregation during dialysis. On the contrary, polyacrilonitrile membranes showed the capacity to correct completely but transiently the platelet aggregation, without changes in platelet count. The results indicate that polyacrilonytrile membranes show a better biocompatibility toward platelets than cuprophan membranes.