Abstract: A method and system for continuously monitoring patient heart rate and blood pressure during hemodialysis and for automatically controlling fluid extraction rate and/or dialysate sodium concentration in the event that blood pressure and/or heart rate indicate onset or impending onset of a patient hypotensive episode. A decrease in patient blood pressure below preselected systolic and/or diastolic low alarm limits automatically initiates a second mode of therapeutic intervention wherein sodium concentration in the dialysate is increased for a predetermined time duration. Upon detection of such low blood pressure alarm, or upon detection of an increase in patient heart rate above a preselected alarm limit, the extraction rate of fluids from the patient through the ultrafiltration membrane is reduced in a first mode of therapeutic intervention by reducing such fluid extraction rate to a minimum level.

Abstract: A process for aminoalkylating a polymer containing a plurality of ##EQU1## amide groups as integral parts of the main polymer chain is described wherein aminoalkyl groups pendant from said amide groups are formed. The process comprises (a) swelling the polymer, such as Nylon 6, in an acidic swelling agent such as aqueous formic acid; (b) immersing the swollen polymer in a liquid alkylenimine bath such as ethylenimine; (c) heating the alkylenimine treated polymer from about 70.degree. to 140.degree. C; and (d) recovering the polymer from the swelling agent, unreacted alkylenimine, etc. The heating step is preferably done in an atmosphere of the alkylenimine.