the role of various filters in hypoxemia levels of hemodialysis patients

introduction: one of the main complications of hemodialysis in patients with chronic renal failure is hypoxemia which is related to several factors including the type of filter. the aim of this study was to evaluate the hypoxemia levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis with focus on the type of filter. methods: in a crossover clinical trial, 29 patients from emodialysis ward of fatemieh hospital were enrolled in the study. the patients were randomly divided in two groups (allocation). first group was hemodialyzed using polysulfone filters while the second group was hemodialyzed by hemoph an filters for one month. after a period of 24 hours washout, filter was changed and hemodialysis was done for another month. arterial blood o2 saturation at different times, before and after hemodialysis was determined and amount of decrement was measured and compared in both groups. results: mean decrease in the arterial blood o2 saturation during 5, 30, 60 and 120 minutes after initiation of hemodialysis was higher in hemophan filter than polysulfone filter (p<0.001). in both groups, peak of decreasing levels were 30 and 60 minutes after initiation of hemodialysis. conclusion: as use of polysulfone filters causes lesser decrease in arterial blood oxygen saturation, it is recommended in igh risk, especially cardiopulmonary disease patients