| Theme | Recent evaluation and characteristics for dialysis membranes from biocompatible viewpoints | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | EVAL (ethylene vinyl alcohol) | |
| Publish Date | 2016/05 | |
| Author | Hideki Tanida | Department of Nephrology, Yabuki Hospital |
| Author | Ikuto Masakane | Department of Nephrology, Yabuki Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | EVAL, which is one type of synthetic membrane is the registered trademark of the Kuraray CO., LTD. The official name is ethylene-vinyl alcohol co-polymer and the acronym is EVOH. The characteristics of EVAL include it being hydrophilic, uncharged, having a smooth surface, and being able to retain structural water. EVAL adsorbs a small number of nonspecific proteins and provides excellent biocompatibility due to these properties. This membrane is recognized as being appropriate for elderly hemodialysis patients, because of its provision of circulatory dynamic stabilization and improvements in those patients' nutritional status. The E-HOPED STUDY examining the effectiveness of EVAL for elderly hemodialysis patients is now ongoing in Japan. It is hoped that EVAL improves those patients' prognoses. |
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