THE BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL IMPACT OF THE REMOVAL OF MIDDLE MOLECULES USING A NEW TYPE OF POLYETHERSULFONE HIGH CUT-OFF MEMBRANE DURING BLOOD PURIFICATION

An excess of inflammatory substances, i.e. cytokines, in the body is believed to contribute to poor outcomes in critically ill patients. Various strategies to reduce the levels of these harmful substances have been studied including the use of high cut-off kidney filters. This thesis examines the above theory; first through an extensive search of previous studies on all cytokine removal techniques. We then report the findings of our research project on the clinical effects of the high cut-off filters, as well as its effects on various mediators and biomarkers in severe critical illness with acute kidney failure.