METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING SERUM PHOSPHATE IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

摘要

The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for reducing serum phosphate levels and calcium phosphate product in patients by hemodialysis. The method and apparatus is particularly useful for treating patients in which conventional hemodialysis treatment alone is usually insufficient to control serum phosphate levels and therefore must be combined with administration of calcium-based phosphate binders. The apparatus includes a dialyser having a hemodialysis membrane with a total surface area of at least 3.0 m2. A dialyser having a membrane surface area of at least 3.0 m2 controls serum phosphate levels to the extent that the patient's predialysis blood phosphate levels are consistently lower between dialysis sessions compared to conventional hemodialysis treatment.