Abstract: Objective To evaluate the removal efficiency of gas and particles in extracorporeal circulation tubes and filters for hemodialysis by physiological saline with different flow velocity. Methods To irrigate the tubes at the speed of 100 ml/min, 300 ml/min and 100~300 ml/min with 800 ml physiological saline, and to assess the removal efficiency of gas and particles in the extracorporeal circulation tubes and filters. Results With the irrigation speed of 100 ml/min, we got the best removal result for gas; with the irrigation speed of 300 ml/min, we got the best removal result for particles; and with the sequential irrigation speed of 100~300 ml/min, we got the ideal removal result for both gas and particles. Conclusion The sequential irrigation method at 100~300 ml/min speed is the most effective way to wash the extracorporeal circulation tubes and filters for hemodialysis.

Key words: Physiological saline, Insoluble particulate