[Effectiveness of potassium adsorption filter during intraoperative blood transfusion in patients with chronic renal failure].

Two patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis, received rapid transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) because of massive intraoperative bleeding. To eliminate the excessive potassium in PRBCs, a potassium adsorption filter (Kawasumi KPF-4, Kawasumi Laboratories, INC., Tokyo, Japan) was applied during surgery. The potassium adsorption filter successfully reduced the potassium concentration from 14.4-22.0 mEq x l(-1) to 1.9-3.7 mEq x l(-1). A potassium adsorption filter is a simple and useful alternative for removal of excessive potassium in PRBCs.