Hemodialysis is a medical treatment applied to sustain life when renal functions decline and the kidneys’ endogenic detoxification abilities fail [1,2]. Dialysis fluids (hemodialysis solutions), composed of electrolytes, buffers, and carbohydrates (glucose) identical to the blood, are a central element of this treatment [1,3–5]. The diffusion gradient between the blood and the dialysis fluid allows removal of metabolic waste and normalization of electrolyte content [1,2]. Dialysis fluids are prepared by adding concentrates that contain electrolytes, carbohydrates, and buffers to water. These require the highest standards for manufacturing and on-site preparation, specified by e.g., the European Pharmacopeia, ISO 11663, ISO 23500, or ISO 13958 (for hemodialysis concentrates) [1,2,4].

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is often used for quality control purposes but is restricted to cationic (metallic) components and a limited number of concurrently determined analytes. Ion chromatography (IC) is an automated, fast, and sensitive solution to accurately quantify cationic and anionic components including acetate simultaneously. This comprehensive approach makes IC an economic alternative to traditional analytical techniques for the quality control of pharmaceutical solutions like hemodialysis concentrates. Ease-of-use, accuracy, and the high throughput capabilities of IC increase productivity and comply with the demands of modern routine and research laboratories.

Dialysis fluids must closely mimic blood plasma composition to remove toxic components from blood by diffusion. These fluids are typically composed of water, electrolytes that provide cations and anions (e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride), buffers (e.g., acetate or carbonate), and carbohydrates (e.g., glucose) [1,3–5]. In this application example, cations, anions, and acetate content were analyzed in two hemodialysis concentrates (Table 1). Optimal results were obtained with a dilution in the range of 1:500 to 1:750 using ultrapure water (UPW).

The dialysis concentrates were provided by MTN Neubrandenburg GmbH a Nipro company, an established producer of high-quality hemodialysis products. Both were acid concentrates (A-concentrates) for bicarbonate dialysis with different compositions (Table 1). The production of such concentrates is subject to strong standardized quality criteria as e.g., ISO 13958, ISO 11663, and ANSI/AAMI RD 61:2000 [1]. Strict standards also apply to the other components necessary for the preparation of the final dialysis fluid, including water and the basic concentrates (B-concentrates) [1,3–5].

Anions and cations were analyzed with a dual channel IC setup (Figure 1) using conductivity detection (sequentially suppressed for anions). A UV/VIS detector (947 Professional UV/VIS detector Vario) can be used as well to exclude nitrite, nitrate, and bromide contaminations in the concentrates.

The complete system (Figure 1) was controlled by Waters Empower™ 3 software. A refrigerated autosampler (889 IC Sample Center – cool) was used to extend the stability of the highly diluted samples.

Anions were separated using the Metrosep A Supp 19 - 150/4.0 column (standard eluent and flow rate, Figure 2 A, C). This high-capacity IC column exhibits excellent separation capabilities, even for highly loaded matrices.

The unique properties of the Metrosep A Supp 19 column allow adequate separation and quantification of acetate even in presence of high concentrations of chloride. In addition to acetate (0.4–20 mg/L) and chloride (6–300 mg/L), the system calibration included fluoride (0.02–1 mg/L), nitrite, and bromide (0.04–2 mg/L), as well as nitrate, phosphate, and sulfate (0.2–10 mg/L).

Cations were separated using a Metrosep C 6 - 150/4.0 column (standard eluent, flow rate: 1.3 mL/min, Figure 2 B). Cation calibration was performed for sodium (4–200 mg/L), ammonium (0.02–1 mg/L), and potassium, calcium, and magnesium (0.2–10 mg/L). The special column chemistry of the Metrosep C 6 guarantees optimal peak resolutions and enables quantification of low concentrations of analytes (e.g., ammonium) that elute close to more highly concentrated components (e.g., sodium).

Anions and cations were analyzed simultaneously from the same sample in less than 25 minutes (Figure 2). The robustness of both separation columns permits high flow rates, speeding up the overall run time.

Dialysis concentrates used for hemodialysis treatments are highly saline solutions, requiring matrix-tolerant, accurate, and sensitive quality control analytics. By using a dual channel IC system, anions and cations can be determined accurately and simultaneously from the same sample. In less than 25 minutes, major concentrate components of acetate, chloride, sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, along with impurities (e.g., nitrite, nitrate, or ammonium) can be quantified. Although analyzing high salinity matrices is often challenging, the high capacity separation columns Metrosep A Supp 19 and Metrosep C 6 reduce the common risks for column overload and inaccurate peak identification and quantification. Simultaneous analysis of anionic and cationic components and impurities enables a comprehensive examination of all analytes from a single sample, presenting IC as an accurate, sensitive, efficient, high-throughput analytical technique for the quality control of pharmaceutical solutions such as hemodialysis concentrates.

Metrohm IC systems can be fully controlled (including the intelligent and automated features) by different software: MagIC Net (Metrohm), Empower^™ 3 (Waters), or OpenLab CDS (Agilent). These options provide a flexible solution for many analytical laboratories.