Studies of contact activation of blood in haemodialysis.

A study of patients on Kiil and Travenol coil dialysis has shown that kallikrein esterase, the kinin precursor, is increased in the venous blood during dialysis and that this is accompanied by an increase in the venous effluent of the dialysers. In addition Hageman factor depletion and an increase of platelet factor 4 has been found in the venous effluent. Such studies indicate surface activation of coagulation in the dialysers and will be of use in future studies of the suitability of different dialysers.