Artif Organs. 2021 Jun 21. doi: 10.1111/aor.14024. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
AIM: Severe forms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can progress to sepsis-like complications accompanied by "cytokine storm" for which the most effective treatment has not yet been established. Our study describes the results of CytoSorb hemoadsorption in COVID-19 patients treated on the intensive care unit (ICU).
PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 26 patients with COVID-19 and acute respiratory dysfunction syndrome (ARDS) were treated with hemoadsorption therapy. Pre-, and post-treatment values (clinical and laboratory) were compared. Data are expressed as mean (confidence intervals, CI), or median [interquartile ranges, IQR], as appropriate.
RESULTS: Patients received 2 hemoadsorption treatments. This resulted in a significant decrease in norepinephrine requirements, and inflammatory marker plasma concentrations (procalcitonin, C-Reactive Protein, ferritin) when comparing pre vs. post treatment levels. The PaO2 /FiO2 and overall organ function (i.e. Sequential Organ Failure Assessment - SOFA score) also improved significantly. Patients stayed on the ICU for 9 days and 21 of them survived.
CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the largest case series to date reporting early experiences on extracorporeal hemoadsorption therapy in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients with hyperinflammation and moderate ARDS. Treatment proved to be effective, technically feasible and well-tolerated.
PMID:34152629 | DOI:10.1111/aor.14024