Lp(a) is increased in hemodialysis patients according to the type of dialysis membrane: a 2-year follow-up study

Aims: Patients with chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis develop lipoprotein abnormalities that may contribute to their increased risk of atherosclerosis. This study shows lipid parameter follow-up procedure according to the type of dialysis membrane in an unselected population of 33 hemodialysis patients. Patients and methods: The study included 33 patients with end-stage renal disease and 110 healthy blood bank donors of Tenon Hospital. Cholesterol and triglycerides were determined by enzymatic methods, apoA-I, apoB by immunoturbidimetry and Lp(a) by immunonephelemetry. Apo(a) phenotyping was performed by agarose gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting. Patients and controls subjects were estimated by Student's t- and chi(2)-tests. Results: Patients dialyzed with low-flux membranes had Lp(a) concentrations higher than patients dialyzed with high-flux membranes. Patients dialyzed with polyacrylonitrile membranes (AN 69) had an apoA-I concentration significantly lower than patients dialyzed with hemophane or polysulfone membranes. We also confirmed some of the lipid abnormalities and high Lp(a) concentrations in ESRD patients. Conclusion: These results may contribute to a more rational choice of the dialysis membrane in hemodialysis patients.