**3.5 Improvement of intradialytic hypotension**

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a common clinical trait in HD patients. Matsumura et al., 2010, conducted a pilot study to assess the effectiveness of VitabranE in improving IDH. Eight IDH patients who had been receiving HD with conventional dialyzers were switched to VitabranE dialyzers, and intradialytic blood pressure (BP) was monitored regularly for 10 months. The results showed that hypotension, monitored during the session by measuring systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP), improved after changing the dialyzer membrane. Moreover, after 8 to 10 months, SBP recorded before dialysis was significantly lower than that at baseline, which suggests a stable improvement in the vascular compliance to intra- and inter-dialysis control of BP.

### **3.6 Anticoagulation management**

In a recent report, Aoun et al., 2010, described the potential clinical advantages of VitabranE in anticoagulant management. In an observational trial, these authors evaluated the minimum requirement of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in pediatric dialysis patients. Seven children and adolescent patients received HD with VitabranE dialyzer and their LMWH dose was decreased every week without any other change in the clinical management; the findings of this study consistently indicated a lower requirement of anticoagulants, which may help reducing bleeding problems and simplifying post-dialysis hemostasis.
