Analytical Comparison of Single‐Pass and Dead‐End Operation in Cascade Filtration Plasmapheresis

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Abstract
Derived mathematical models are employed to compare cascade filtration plasmapheresis in the deadend and single‐pass formats. The high filtration fraction and low sieving coefficients associated with single‐pass cascade filtration are shown to require treatment of the retentate concentration profile in an integrated rather than a length‐averaged fashion. The models are best applied to specific simulations, but in general predict that (a) for a given membrane, the dead‐end format will yield a higher albumin recovery but a lower macroglobulin rejection than single pass; (b) the single‐pass format is more suited to loose membranes and the dead‐end to tight membranes; and (c) in the single‐pass but not the deadend format, solute recovery is conveniently independent of the quantity filtered. Agreement between predicted and measured performance is good, although a larger data base would be required for complete validation of the models.