Comparison between the internal and external pressure filtration method of cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy using the same cancerous ascites.

Cell-free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) by internal filtration pressure method (internal method) and external filtration pressure method (external method) using the same cancerous ascites was performed. The rate of rise in circuit pressure and recovered components were compared between the two methods. The factors related to circuit pressure rise were also researched. In both methods, circuit pressure rose in 50% of cases. The recovery rates of IgG, IgA, IgM, and haptoglobin were significantly higher for the internal method than for the external method, whereas the recovery rate of alpha(1)-antitrypsin was significantly lower in the internal method than in the external method. The levels of IL-6, haptoglobin, alpha(1)-antitrypsin, and fibrinogen/fibrindegradation products (FDP) in the original ascites were significantly higher in the group wherein circuit pressure rose than in that without circuit pressure rise. These proteins might be related to the rise in circuit pressure.