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Background: The Toray Filtryzer™-NF is a new polymethyl methacrylate filter with improved hemocompatibility and reduced impact on platelet counts. Objectives: This suggests that, if necessary, a reduction in anticoagulation may be possible when dialysis is performed with the Toray Filtryzer™-NF. Methods: In the following, we dialyzed 5 hemodialysis patients who had a contraindication to full anticoagulation postoperatively or after renal biopsy with the Filtryzer™-NF. Results: A significant reduction in heparin administration was achieved, and in 1 patient, heparin substitution was completely omitted. Despite the significantly reduced heparin doses, no thrombosis of the system occurred during the hemodialysis. Conclusion: In conclusion, hemodialysis using the Toray Filtryzer™-NF is an effective alternative for patients at significantly increased risk of bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemodialysis patients (HDP) and kidney transplant recipients (KTR) have a high risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 with poor clinical outcomes. Because of this, vaccination of these groups of patients against SARS-CoV-2 is particularly important. However, immune responses may be impaired in immunosuppressed and chronically ill patients. Here, our aim was to compare the efficacy of an mRNA-based vaccine in HDP, KTR, and healthy subjects. Design: In this prospective observational cohort study, the humoral and cellular response of prevalent 192 HDP, 50 KTR, and 28 healthy controls (HC) was assessed 1, 2, and 6 months after the first immunization with the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. Results: After 6 months, 97.5% of HDP, 37.9% of KTR, and 100% of HC had an antibody response. Median antibody levels were 1539.7 (±3355.8), 178.5 (±369.5), and 2657.8 (±2965.8) AU/mL in HDP, KTR, and HC, respectively (p ≤ 0.05). A SARS-CoV-2 antigen-specific cell response to vaccination was found in 68.8% of HDP, 64.5% of KTR, and 90% of HC. Conclusion: The humoral response rates to mRNA-based vaccination of HDPs are comparable to HCs, but antibody titers are lower. Furthermore, HDPs have weaker T-cell response to vaccination than HCs. KTRs have very low humoral and antigen-specific cellular response rates and antibody titers, which requires other vaccination strategies in addition to booster vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]