Therapeutic apheresis and dialysis : official peer-reviewed journal of the International Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Apheresis, the Japanese Society for Dialysis Therapy
-
Direct hemoperfusion through a network of immobilized polymyxin B fibers is used for the treatment of septic shock, but the mechanism underlying the clinical benefits remains unclear. The aims of the present study were to assess the actions of direct hemoperfusion through immobilized polymyxin B fibers on effects of exogenous endotoxin or 2-arachidonoylglycerol in conscious guinea pigs; and to examine the underlying mechanisms. In the present study, colonic motion was monitored continuously by telemetry using a force transducer attached to the taenia caecum, while blood pressure was monitored with a carotid artery catheter. ⋯ The results showed that in guinea pigs treated with direct hemoperfusion through immobilized polymyxin B fibers, relaxation of colonic longitudinal muscle caused by lipopolysaccharide or 2-arachidonoylglycerol was significantly suppressed, as were decreases in blood pressure. We conclude that the actions following exogenous administration of 2-arachidonoylglycerol were eliminated by direct hemoperfusion through immobilized polymyxin B fibers. These results suggest that effectiveness of direct hemoperfusion through immobilized polymyxin B fibers in endotoxemia involves elimination of 2-arachidonoylglycerol action.
-
To examine the safety of using a high-flow three-way stopcock in a blood circuit during extracorporeal blood purification therapy, we studied the risk of development of hemolysis and clot formation in both ex vivo and in vivo extracorporeal circulation. In the ex vivo study, no significant difference was observed in the decrease in hematocrit (HCT) or increase in the potassium level between the three-way stopcock group and the control group. ⋯ Thus, it was shown that the risk of hemolysis caused by the use of a high-flow three-way stopcock on both the outlet side and inlet side would be small. In the in vivo cases, there was no significant difference in the decrease in HCT or the increase in inlet pressure between the three-way stopcock group and control group, suggesting that it is clinically possible to incorporate a high-flow three-way stopcock into a blood circuit.
-
Because of its low sensitivity, the conventional measurement method for endotoxin (ET) is not the most appropriate for monitoring the effect of ET adsorption therapy. Thus, the efficacy of ET adsorption therapy was investigated using a newly developed high-sensitivity ET assay method. The changes in the cytokine production capacity of whole blood were also examined. ⋯ Elimination of ET by PMX-DHP in septic shock patients was confirmed by the high-sensitivity ET assay. PMX-DHP is thus considered to be a useful adjuvant therapeutic technique in the treatment of septic shock. Also, PMX-DHP might alleviate the immunosuppression associated with severe sepsis.
-
Plasma exchange (PE) is a technique of extracorporeal blood purification which removes large molecular weight substances from plasma. The Department of Dialysis, Zagreb University Hospital Center's database, which includes data on 509 patients, or 4857 PE treatments, was retrospectively analyzed to test the safety of PE. A total of 231 adverse reactions were recorded (4.75% of treatments). ⋯ There was no lethal outcome associated with PE. When carried out by experienced staff, PE is a relatively safe procedure. The use of fresh frozen plasma is associated with a higher rate of adverse reactions.
-
Involvement of the activation of neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells in the pathology of sepsis has recently been reported. We therefore investigated whether direct hemoperfusion (DHP) with a polymyxin B immobilized fiber column (PMX) could reduce the level of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), an index of vascular endothelial cell activation. Twelve sepsis patients satisfying the following criteria were enrolled in the study: (i) stable global oxygen metabolism (oxygen delivery index>500 mL/min/m2 and oxygen consumption index>120 mL/min/m2); (ii) abnormal tissue oxygen metabolism (PCO2 gap: gastric mucosal PCO2 minus arterial PCO2 difference>8 mm Hg); and (iii) mean blood pressure>or=60 mm Hg. ⋯ The PAI-1 value was 150+/-30.0 ng/mL before DHP with PMX, 178+/-60.0 ng/mL immediately after DHP with PMX, 90+/-22.1 ng/mL at 24 h after, 65+/-21.0 ng/mL at 48 h after, and 64+/-18.3 ng/mL 72 h after. The values were significantly lower from 48 h onward compared with baseline. These data suggest that DHP with PMX inhibits vascular endothelial cell activation.