Effects of Different Frequencies of High-Flux Membranes on Blood Pressure, Fluid Balance, and Indices of Nutrition, Inflammation, and Dialysis Adequacy in Chronic Hemodialysis Patients - Comparisons Between Thrice vs Once Weekly

This study will be conducted in the HD center at NTUH. Patients undergoing chronic HD for at least 6 months will be evaluated for eligibility. Patients with previous adverse reactions to FX series dialyzer will not be included in this study. Detailed demographic physical characteristics of the participants will be recorded, including age, gender, underlying diseases, blood pressure, intradialytic complications, as well as indices of nutrition, inflammation, and dialysis adequacy. Eligible patients will first undergo a 4-week run-in HD with conventional-flux dialyzer twice weekly plus high-flux dialyzer once weekly (i.e., basic formula), followed by random allocation into two separate groups. Patients in group A will continue HD with the basic formula, while those in group B will receive HD using high-flux membranes thrice weekly. Three months later, all participants will be put back on HD with basic formula for 1 month (wash-out period). Group A patients will then be switched to receive HD with high-flux membranes thrice weekly, and group B patients will be changed to undergo HD with basic formula for another 3 months. Laboratory tests will include monthly biochemistry and hemogram, plus blood and urine specimens taken on 4 occasions before and during the study (baseline, end of the first 3 months, end of wash-out, and end of the second 3 months) to investigate selective markers and indices for nutrition, inflammation, and dialysis adequacy.