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Introduction Cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) is performed by collecting the ascites from the patient, followed by filtration and concentration. Thereafter, concentrated cell-free ascites is reinfused into the patient intravenously. The new type of machine, Plasauto μTM , for managing the process of CART was launched onto the market. Methods We have evaluated the machine through post-marketing clinical study in seventeen patients with malignant ascites. Results The amounts of original and concentrated ascites were 3,673 ± 1,920 g and 439 ± 228 g, respectively. Recovery rates were acceptable regarding values of total protein, albumin, and immunoglobulin G that were 55.6% ±17.3 %, 60.2% ±20.8%, and 58.2% ±20.5%, respectively. Recovery rates were positively associated with amounts of original ascites and negatively associated with total protein concentration. No adverse events related to the machine were observed. Conclusion The new type of machine showed preferable performance in processing malignant ascites. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

At present, conventional plasma exchange (CPE) sets removal rate, replacement fluid volume and replacement fluid albumin (Alb) concentration according to the first-order kinetics of mass balance for removal of pathogenic substances. With the spread of selective plasma exchange (SePE), it has become necessary to set the removal rate and replacement fluid Alb concentration based on the initial concentration for each performance of the plasma separator. Considering the patient as a single reactor we devised a complete mixed reactor model simulating the concentration change in the reactor. Our formula is obtained by adding membrane performance and replacement fluid concentration to formulas currently available and can be used for both CPE and SePE. For the in vitro experiment, fresh frozen plasma stored in a bag was used to simulate a patient's circulating plasma. Plasma was separated by plasma separator Evacure EC-4A10 (EC-4A) (Kawasumi Laboratories Inc., Tokyo, Japan) while a replacement Alb solution was simultaneously entered into the circuit at the same rate as separation. IgG, Alb, total protein (TP), and fibrinogen (Fib) concentrations were measured every 10 min and examined for correlation with the value predicted by the mass balance formula. The concentration of each solute was measured 21 times during the 195 min of the experiment. The rate of change of each solute was IgG 76%, Alb 58%, TP 58%, and Fib 32%. Experimental values and predicted values showed significant correlation (IgG: r2 = 0.9962; Fib: r2 = 0.9535; Alb: r2 = 0.9808; TP: r2 = 0.9721, all P

Residual renal function (RRF) is a strong prognostic factor of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). We determined predictors of the RRF rate of decline using both baseline values and time-averaged ones. We retrospectively analyzed 94 patients being treated with PD at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center. The decline rate of RRF was calculated by a diminution in the weekly renal Kt/V between the first and last follow up divided by follow-up years. The mean follow-up period was 2.28 years, and the mean decline rate of weekly renal Kt/V was 0.25 per year. A multivariate analysis using baseline parameters identified dialysis-to-plasma ratios of creatinine at 4 h (P = 0.02), urinary protein (P = 0.02), and mean blood pressure (MBP) (P < 0.01) as being positively associated with the RRF rate of decline, while the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) had a negative correlation (P = 0.03). When using time-averaged values as independent variables, a lower weekly total renal Kt/V (P < 0.0001), higher urinary protein (P < 0.0001), and higher MBP (P = 0.04) independently predicted a faster RRF rate of decline. We demonstrated that PD patients with a lower MBP and lower urinary protein both at baseline and throughout their PD duration had a slower RRF rate of decline. We recommend strict control of blood pressure and anti-proteinuric therapy for PD patients.