What are the differences between hemoperfusion and hemodialysis?
Nov 08, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Feng
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, hemoperfusion and hemodialysis are two distinct blood purification techniques, with differences typically including varying principles, indications, treatment durations, equipment, and ranges of substances removed. When corresponding medical conditions arise, the choice of treatment method should be based on the patient's specific clinical condition and the physician's recommendations.
Generally, hemoperfusion and hemodialysis are two different blood purification techniques, which usually differ in principles, indications, treatment duration, equipment, and the range of substances removed.
1. Different Principles: Hemoperfusion utilizes an extracorporeal circulation to pass blood through adsorbent devices with broad-spectrum detoxification effects or immobilized specific ligands to remove endogenous or exogenous pathogenic substances from the blood, primarily certain small molecular toxins. Hemodialysis performs substance exchange within a dialyzer based on the principles of diffusion, convection, and adsorption, removing small molecular toxins from the blood while correcting imbalances in water, electrolytes, and acid-base levels.
2. Different Indications: Hemoperfusion is mainly used for patients with uremia, especially for the removal of medium and large molecular toxins in the body, as well as emergency treatment for drug or toxic substance poisoning. Hemodialysis is widely applied in acute kidney injury, chronic renal failure, drug or toxic substance poisoning, and electrolyte and acid-base imbalance disorders.
3. Different Treatment Durations: Hemoperfusion typically lasts 2–4 hours per session and can be repeated as needed depending on the patient's condition. Hemodialysis generally occurs three times weekly, with each session lasting approximately 4 hours; the frequency and duration of treatment can be adjusted according to the patient's specific condition.
4. Different Equipment: Hemoperfusion is performed using a dedicated perfusion device containing an adsorbent. Hemodialysis requires a dialysis machine and dialysate, where the dialysis machine facilitates substance exchange between the patient's blood and the dialysate via a dialyzer.
5. Different Ranges of Substance Removal: Hemoperfusion primarily removes small molecular toxins, drugs, and some medium molecular toxins from the blood. Hemodialysis mainly removes small molecular toxins, excess water, and some medium molecular substances but has limited capacity to remove large molecular toxins and toxins bound to proteins.
If relevant medical conditions occur, treatment methods should be selected according to the patient's specific condition and the physician's recommendations.
