# Priming and circulation

**URL:** <https://forums.homedialysis.org/t/priming-and-circulation/9591>\
**Category:** Ask Our Experts\
**Created:** [October 28, 2024, 11:33am UTC](https://forums.homedialysis.org/t/priming-and-circulation/9591 "2024-10-28T11:33:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jham](https://forumcdn.homedialysis.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/e79b87/32.png) [@jham](https://forums.homedialysis.org/u/jham)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2024, 11:33am UTC](https://forums.homedialysis.org/t/priming-and-circulation/9591/1 "2024-10-28T11:33:20Z")

</div>

What is the ideal blood pump when priming? What is the ideal blood pump when circulating a machine before hooking to a patient?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JJTRN](https://forumcdn.homedialysis.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/a183cd/32.png) [@JJTRN](https://forums.homedialysis.org/u/JJTRN)\
**Post date:** [October 29, 2024, 4:13pm UTC](https://forums.homedialysis.org/t/priming-and-circulation/9591/2 "2024-10-29T16:13:17Z")

</div>

Some machines have automatic prime and recirculation features. Others are specified by clinic policies and manufacturer recommendation. The purpose of prime and recirculate is to rinse the system and remove air, so the pump speed is kept low. I’ve seen policies vary from 80-200mL/min, with ~150mL/min being the most common I’ve come across.