REMOVAL OF BILIRUBIN BY HEMOPERFUSION WITH ION EXCHANGE RESINS

Abstract

Removal of bilirubin by hemoperfusion with macroporous resins is suggested to replace exchange transfusion of blood from jaundiced infants. Anion exchangers tested for BIL binding rate and the effects of various system parameters, i.e. particle size, temperature, bed volume, fluid flow rate and particle porosity are reported. The dissociation equilibrium constant K of the BIL-ALB (albumin) complex was determined from the equilibrium adsorption isotherms data, at different ALB concentrations. Increasing ALB concentration decreased the BIL adsorption rate. For a given ALB concentration, the ratio of unbound to total BIL was constant and the initial BIL adsorption rate was independent of total BIL concentration.