A review of the concept of biocompatibility.

The consequences of blood-membrane interactions are numerous. The perturbations created in the cellular components and humoral pathways are being actively pursued. These changes interact with and may be modified by other aspects of the hemodialysis treatment. They are capable of producing adverse events in the hemodialysis patient. Events range from acute life-threatening reactions, through chronic changes which may interfere with the immune response, impact upon the patients' nutritional status and cause residual renal function to deteriorate.