Post-dilution high convective transport improves microinflammation and endothelial dysfunction independently of the technique.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We examined the effects of different online hemodiafiltration techniques on microinflammation and endothelial damage/repair. METHODS: The study was designed as a prospective crossover study. Flow cytometry was used to measure CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes, apoptotic endothelial microparticles (EMPs), and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). RESULTS: Patients treated with high-flux hemodialysis showed a marked chronic inflammatory state (HF-HD 11 ± 2) versus healthy subjects (HS 3.9 ± 2.3; p < 0.05). High convective transport, independent of the technique used, improves microinflammatory parameters (OL-HDF 7.3 ± 2.1 or MID 6.5 ± 3.4; p < 0.05) and the endothelial damage/repair balance compared to HF-HD (EPCs HF-HD 0.3 ± 0.2), with no differences found between the two modalities (EPCs OL-HDF 0.6 ± 0.1, MID 0.6 ± 0.2; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: An increase in convective transport improves the microinflammatory state and the endothelial damage/repair of these patients independently of the technique used.