TITLE:
Effect of Plasma Separators with Different Pore Sizes on Albumin in DPMAS Therapy
AUTHORS:
Lihua Zheng, Qiong Shu, Juan Wang, Shan Ouyang, Shuxian Jiang, Wenxiong Xu
KEYWORDS:
Liver Failure, Double Plasma Molecular Adsorption System, Plasma Separator, Albumin, Platelets
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.18 No.7,
July
8,
2026
ABSTRACT: Objective: To compare the effects of two plasma separators with different pore sizes on serum albumin levels in patients with liver failure undergoing double plasma molecular adsorption system (DPMAS) therapy, and to evaluate the clinical value of small-pore membrane plasma separators. Methods: A single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 60 patients with liver failure admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from December 2023 to December 2025 were enrolled and randomly assigned to the observation group (EC-4A20 membrane plasma separator, n = 30) or the control group (MPS07 plasma separator, n = 30). Both groups received comprehensive medical therapy and two sessions of DPMAS treatment. Changes in albumin (ALB), hemoglobin (Hb), and platelet (PLT) counts before and after treatment were compared, and clinical efficacy and safety were evaluated. Results: Baseline ALB, Hb, and PLT levels showed no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). After the first DPMAS session, the decrease in ALB in the observation group was significantly smaller than that in the control group [(1.51 ± 2.85) g/L vs. (4.21 ± 1.94) g/L, P 0.05). The overall response rate in the observation group (90.0%) was higher than that in the control group (76.7%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.303). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P = 0.148). Conclusion: The small-pore EC-4A20 membrane plasma separator can significantly reduce non-specific albumin loss during DPMAS therapy, with a cumulative albumin loss approximately 3.10 g/L less than that in the control group over two treatment sessions. It also demonstrates a protective trend for hemoglobin and platelets, with favorable safety profile, making it particularly suitable for patients with liver failure complicated by hypoalbuminemia and thrombocytopenia.