A study of appropriate flow rate settings for cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy and change of cytokine concentrations in ascites.

We examined appropriate flow rates for high collection rates of Total Protein (TP) and Albumin (Alb) and a change of IL-6 concentrations in the cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) process. No significant changes were observed in IL-6 concentration in the ascites storage test and the circulatory stimulation test. However, it was confirmed that the quantity of IL-6 in the ascites decreased by means of filtration and concentration. In some cases, it quickly reached high concentration rates at a higher flow rate (200 mL/min) setting, but clogging or pressure increase has occurred in the hollow fiber filter. Therefore, it was concluded that a low flow rate (50 mL/min) setting was best and provides safer conditions for filtration and concentration in order to collect TP and Alb effectively and reuse it as autologous protein, which is the primary objective of CART.