In vitro characterization of the RP-6 dialyzer: co-current and counter-current clearance as a function of ultrafiltration.

Analytical and graphical techniques are described for presenting clearance data as a function of ultrafiltration; thus for the first time comparison of clearance values between dialyzers can be made unambiguously. This simple method uses a hand calculator to determine three coefficients. Clearance has been shown to be accurately described by the equation C = alpha 1 + alpha 2 Qv + alpha 3 (1/QBi). This formula permits construction of easily read families of curves which can predict clearance values under most clinical situations. The RP-6 dialyzer is characterized by these methods for clearance of urea, glucose and vitamin B 12 for counter-current and co-current modes.