and inflammatory mediators such as cytokines or anaphylatoxins are eliminated to decrease the potential for inflammation. There is also a reduced need for systemic heparin, resulting in higher haemoglobin levels and less need for EPO. Contact Ella Izquierdo 01480 444049 ella. izquierdo@ gambro. com ß Autumn events round- up This September saw a number of excellent conferences and other events around the country, with Gambro taking an active part in many of them. At the 5th International Symposium on Clinical Applications of Serum Free Light Chains ( FLC) in Bath, Gambro presented information on the ongoing ' EuLITE' randomised control trial. Eleven UK hospitals are involved in the trial, in which FLC removal haemodialysis is undertaken with two Gambro HCO 1100 dialysers in series using an intensive treatment schedule. Gambro also demonstrated the Prismaflexmachine at the BACCN Conference and Exhibition in York. A considerable number of attendees visited the Gambro stand, with many Prismausers commenting on how the ß

5 Events diary ART National Meeting & Exhibition 29 - 31 October, Staverton Park, Northamptonshire www. artery. org. uk The Association of Renal Technologists has put together a programme comprising national and international speakers, as well as a workshop for its technical members. Scottish Renal Association Meeting 14 November, Dunfermline www. srr. scot. nhs. uk EDTNA/ ERCA UK Seminar 2008 16 - 17 November, Sheffield www. edtnaerca. org/ pages/ calendar/ An exciting and relevant programme is planned to attract all grades of staff incorporating many topics and including master classes on haemodialysis, perioneal dialysis and transplantation. Intensive Care Society - State of the Art 2008 Meeting 15 - 16 December, London www. ics. ac. uk/ meetings/ meetings. asp Day one will provide a choice of parallel sessions with the clinical practice forum and the research forum. Day two will be dedicated to a series of sessions on topics of relevance to intensive care medicine. International and UK experts will present on a wide range of topics including the circulation in sepsis, new technology for the ICU, the use of blood products, acute pancreatitis and ICS clinical trials. You can visit our online events diary at www. gambro. co. uk or contact 01480 444000 marketing. uk@ gambro. com Here's the latest in our summaries of some of the recently published dialysis- related papers. improvements embodied in the Prismaflexwould make their life easier whilst improving customer care. Finally, the West Midlands Renal Network organised their all- day West Midlands Renal Audit meeting in Walsall. Gambro sponsored the event and our stand provided information and samples of our TipstopTM, Plume ® SP and blunt needles. Contact Ella Izquierdo 01480 444049 ella. izquierdo@ gambro. com The event in Bath closed with a Gala Dinner at the Assembly Rooms Ref: Santoro A et al; Am J Kidney Dis 2008; 52( 3): 507- 18 [ http:// www. ajkd. org/ article/ S0272- 6386( 08) 00888- 3/ abstract] Dialysis effects on vitamin levels investigated Blood levels of water- soluble vitamins and homocysteine were investigated pre- and post- dialysis in 30 prevalent HD patients, half of whom were on a high- flux dialyser. All received multivitamin supplements routinely. The change in blood level during dialysis correlated with the molecular weight, and for all vitamins the change was independent of membrane flux properties. Serum levels of folate and pyridoxal- 5'- phosphate ( PLP) were reduced by approximately 35%, while red blood cell folate levels were stable. Levels of thiamine and riboflavin were only reduced by 5- 10%, and cobalamin was apparently unaffected by dialysis. The only difference seen between high- and low- flux dialysis was in the homocystein reduction level, being 48% in the high- flux dialysis versus 37% in the low- flux group. The authors recommend monitoring of vitamin status in dialysis patients regardless of which membrane type is used. For more information contact Ella Izquierdo on 01480 444049 or ella. izquierdo@ gambro. com Ref: Heinz J et al; Nephrology 2008; 13( 5): 384- 9 [ http:// www3. interscience. wiley. com/ journal/ 120124531/ abstract] The role of sodium level in dialysis fluid The relations between the prescribed dialysis fluid sodium level and interdialytic weight gain and incidence of intradialytic hypotension was evaluated cross- sectionally in 2187 dialysis patients. A 140 mmol/ l sodium level was used for 63% of patients while another 25% were dialysed against 138 mmol/ l sodium. While target dry weight was independent of the fluid sodium level the interdialytic weight gain was higher for patients on higher sodium, especially for the first dialysis of the week. Pre- and post- dialysis blood pressure data were similar between groups, except for a lower pre- dialysis pulse pressure in the low sodium group. Symptomatic hypotension during dialysis occurred more frequently in patients on a higher sodium fluid. The authors consider their findings supportive of using a lower sodium concentration in the dialysis fluid. For more information contact Samantha Ford on 01480 444006or samantha. ford@ gambro. com Ref: Davenport A et al; Int J Artif Organs 2008; 31( 5): 411- 7