Citrate anticoagulation does not correct cuprophane bioincompatibility as evaluated by the expression of leukocyte surface molecules.

Background: Citrate, used for the anticoagulation of the extracorporeal dialysis circuit, reduces ionized calcium by chelation and has been claimed to attenuate dialyser membrane bioincompatibility. Dialysis with complement-activating cuprophane membranes is associated with leukopenia which has been related to an increase in adhesion molecule expression on the surface of circulating leukocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]