Successful Application of a Hemoperfusion Machine in Separated System CRRT: Evaluating Effectiveness and Safety in Critically Ill Patients With AKI in Resource-Limited Settings.

BACKGROUND: It is imperative to note that integrated system continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) necessitates a sophisticated and costly apparatus, potentially limiting its availability within resource-limited settings. The introduction of a separated system for continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH), characterized by uncomplicated setup procedures with a hemoperfusion machine, holds promise as a feasible alternative to CRRT for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS: We aimed to retrospectively analyze the effectiveness and safety of separated CRRT applied from a hemoperfusion machine in critically ill patients with AKI during the January 2015 to December 2021 period. We also examine the in-hospital mortality rate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to uncover the factors that affect mortality. RESULTS: We included a total of 129 critically ill patients who received separated system CRRT. The SOFA score at CRRT initiation was 12.6 ± 3.8. The fluid accumulation at the day of CRRT initiation was 3900 mL (622-8172 mL) All patients received pre- and postdilution CVVH. The mean prescribed CRRT dose was 22.4 ± 3.1 mL/kg/h. We found no serious complications including circuit explosion and air embolism. The in-hospital mortality rate was 68.9%. High SOFA score and positive fluid accumulation at CRRT initiation serve as predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS: Separated system CRRT using a hemoperfusion machine provides a simplified system to operate and is proven to be effective and safe in real-life practice, especially in resource-limited areas.

Comparison of different intensive triglyceride-lowering therapies in patients with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to investigate the clinical value of emergent triglyceride (TG)-lowering therapies for hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP). METHODS: 126 HLAP patients were assigned randomly to receive either conventional treatment (CT), normal saline (NS) alone, or continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) as an intensive TG-lowering therapy. TG levels, clinical outcomes, and inflammatory biomarkers were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly among the groups. CVVH removed TG from the plasma and achieved its target TG (<500 mg/dL) in approximately 25 h, compared to 40 h in the NS alone group and no targeted effect within 48 h in the CT group (P < 0.05). Although the majority of clinical outcomes did not differ significantly, an unexpectedly higher incidence of organ failure occurred in the CVVH group compared to the others. Hospital costs, severe AP patients and length of stay were significantly higher in the CVVH group compared to the other groups (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Early CVVH lowers TG levels more efficiently than NS alone or CT therapy, but is not superior in terms of clinical outcomes and costs. NS also lowers TG levels and is significantly less costly than the other two treatments. Further multicenter studies are needed to determine the feasibility of NS alone treatment for HLAP patients.

Hemoperfusion for Clinically Suspected Organophosphate and Carbamate Poisoning in Critically Ill Patients: A Randomized Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Organophosphate poisoning occurs frequently, and despite treatment, increased severity and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions have been observed. We hypothesized that early hemoperfusion/hemadsorption (HA) therapy would change the clinical course of the disease. METHODS: We performed a prospective, open, randomized controlled study at an academic ICU. Adult patients referred for an acute cholinergic toxidrome were screened. Patients meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized to standard of care (SoC) or HA therapy plus SoC, which included 2 6-h cycles of HA 12 h apart beginning within the first 24 h of ICU admission. The primary outcome was a comparison of ICU length of stay (LOS). RESULTS: There were no significant baseline differences between the groups. The median ICU LOS was 6.5 days (IQR 4.5-10) in the HA group compared to 8 days (IQR 3.5-17) for the control group, p = 0.58. Among patients with an excess ICU LOS ≥7 days, the median ICU LOS was significantly shorter for the HA group, 10 days (IQR 8-12) compared to 17 days (IQR 14-22) for the control group, p = 0.001, resulting in a cost saving of EUR 7308 per patient. Duration (8 days vs. 13.5 days) and cumulative dosage (316 mg vs. 887 mg) of atropine among patients with excess ICU LOS were significantly lower in the HA group compared to the SoC group, respectively. A similar reduction in the duration of mechanical ventilation (HA = 6 days vs. SoC = 15 days, p = 0.001) was found. The combination of day 28 mortality and severe complications was lower in the HA group (10%, n = 2/20) compared to the SoC group (42%, 14/33) p = 0.01. CONCLUSION: HA therapy resulted in significant cost savings driven by a reduced LOS among patients with excess ICU LOS ≥7 days. This therapy was also associated with a significant reduction in the combination of day 28 mortality and severe complications including cardiac arrest, organ dysfunction, reintubation, and tracheostomy.

Clinical effects of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration combined with hemoperfusion for the treatment of multiple myeloma complicated with acute kidney injury.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) combined with hemoperfusion for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) complicated with acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods: Medical records of 73 patients with MM complicated with AKI admitted to the First People's Hospital of Huzhou from January 2019 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the treatment records, 35 patients received simple chemotherapy (control group), and 38 patients received CVVH combined with HP on the basis of chemotherapy (observation group). We compared the clinical efficacies, renal function indexes, and the serum globulin and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) values between the two groups. Results: After the treatment, the total efficacy of the observation group was significantly higher (81.58%) than that in the control group (57.14%; p <0.05). Serum cystatin C (CysC), urea nitrogen (BUN), ß2 macroglobulin (ß2-MG) and creatinine (SCr) levels were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (p <0.05). Serum globulin level and ESR values in the observation group after the treatment were also significantly lower than in the control group (p <0.05). Conclusions: The outcomes of patients with MM complicated with AKI treated with CVVH and hemoperfusion differ significantly from those of the patients treated only with CVVH. Combining CVVH and hemoperfusion helps to improve the efficacy of the treatment, promotes renal function recovery, and improves the levels of serum globulin and ESR.

[Clinical application of plasma exchange combined with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration dialysis in children with refractory Kawasaki disease shock syndrome]. / 血浆置换联合连续性静脉-é™è„‰è¡€æ¶²æ»¤è¿‡é€æžæ²»ç–—åœ¨å„¿ç«¥å·å´Žç— ä¼‘å ‹ç»¼åˆå¾ä¸­çš„ä¸´åºŠåº”ç”¨.

OBJECTIVES: To study the role of plasma exchange combined with continuous blood purification in the treatment of refractory Kawasaki disease shock syndrome (KDSS). METHODS: A total of 35 children with KDSS who were hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hunan Children's Hospital, from January 2019 to August 2022 were included as subjects. According to whether plasma exchange combined with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration dialysis was performed, they were divided into a purification group with 12 patients and a conventional group with 23 patients. The two groups were compared in terms of clinical data, laboratory markers, and prognosis. RESULTS: Compared with the conventional group, the purification group had significantly shorter time to recovery from shock and length of hospital stay in the pediatric intensive care unit, as well as a significantly lower number of organs involved during the course of the disease (P<0.05). After treatment, the purification group had significant reductions in the levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, heparin-binding protein, and brain natriuretic peptide (P<0.05), while the conventional group had significant increases in these indices after treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the children in the purification group tended to have reductions in stroke volume variation, thoracic fluid content, and systemic vascular resistance and an increase in cardiac output over the time of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma exchange combined with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration dialysis for the treatment of KDSS can alleviate inflammation, maintain fluid balance inside and outside blood vessels, and shorten the course of disease, the duration of shock and the length of hospital stay in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Early high-dose continuous veno-venous hemofiltration alleviates the alterations of CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in septic patients combined with acute kidney injury.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine whether early high-dose continuous venous-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) alleviates the alterations in CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in septic patients combined with acute kidney injury. METHODS: Enrolled septic patients combined with acute kidney injury were randomized into CVVH (n = 50) and conventional treatment (non-CVVH, n = 53) groups. Healthy volunteers (n = 21) were enrolled. CVVH was initiated within 12 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission with doses of 35~60 ml/kg/h and maintained for at least 72 h. Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg were measured by flow cytometry on days 1, 3, and 7 of ICU admission. Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were calculated. RESULTS: Th1 percentages and Th1/Th2 ratios were lower, and Th2, Th17, and Treg percentages and Th17/Treg ratios were higher in septic patients compared to healthy volunteers. CVVH significantly increased Th1 percentages and Th1/Th2 ratios, and significantly decreased Th2, Th17, and Treg percentages and Th17/Treg ratios compared to non-CVVH. Th1 percentages and Th1/Th2 ratios were negatively correlated with SOFA scores, while Th2, Th17, and Treg percentages and Th17/Treg ratios were positively correlated with SOFA scores. Patients with CVVH had significantly lower SOFA scores on day 7 of ICU admission and a shorter ICU stay compared to those with non-CVVH. CONCLUSIONS: Septic patients combined with acute kidney injury exhibit different alterations of CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets. Early high-dose CVVH alleviates the alterations, which may be one of the factors associated with improved sepsis severity.

Post-transplant inotrope score is associated with clinical outcomes after adult heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Inotrope score has been proposed as a marker of clinical outcome after adult heart transplantation (HTx) but is rarely used in practice. METHODS: Inotrope score during the first 48 h after HTx was calculated in 81 patients as: dopamine + dobutamine + amrinone + milrinone (dose × 15) + epinephrine (dose × 100) + norepinephrine (dose × 100) + enoximone + isoprenaline (dose × 100), with each drug in µg/kg/min. Determinants of inotrope score were identified with linear regression. Cox regression was used to determine the association of inotrope score with mortality. RESULTS: The mean recipient age was 52 ± 11 years, and 32 (39.5%) patients were female. Determinants of inotrope score were preoperative C-reactive protein, serum urea, congenital heart disease, and donor cardiac arrest (R2  = .30). Inotrope score was associated with 5-year mortality, independent of recipient age and gender (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.07). This association was attenuated when adjusting for female-to-male transplant and ischemia time. Inotrope score was also strongly associated with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.12). CONCLUSION: High inotrope score post-HTx was observed in recipient congenital heart disease and was associated with a higher risk of mortality and acute kidney injury.

Feasibility and efficacy of modified fixed citrate concentration protocol using only commercial preparations in critically ill patients: a prospective cohort study with a historical control group.

BACKGROUND: The cumbersome program and the shortage of commercial solution hindered the regular application of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA). It is urgent to simplify the protocol using only commercial preparations. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and efficacy of the modified protocol for continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) in unselected critically ill patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted in 66 patients who received a new protocol combining fixed citrate concentration with modified algorithm for supplements (i.e., fixed protocol), and compared the efficacy, safety and convenience for this group to a historical control group with a traditional protocol (n = 64), where citrate was titrated according to the circuit ionized calcium concentration (i.e., titrated protocol). The convenience was defined as the demand for monitoring test and dose adjustment of any supplement. RESULTS: The filter lifespan was 63.2 ± 16.1 h in the fixed group and 51.9 ± 17.7 h in the titrated group, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated longer circuit lifetime for fixed group (log-rank, p = 0.026). The incidence of circuit clotting was lower in the fixed protocol (15.2% vs. 29.7% in the titrated protocol, p = 0.047). Moreover, compared with the titrated group, patients with fixed protocol had less demand for monitoring test and dose adjustment of any supplement (the number of times per person per day) (3.3 [IQR 2.3-4.5] vs. 5.7 [IQR 3.3-6.9], p = 0.001 and 1.9 [IQR 0.5-2.7] vs. 6.3 [IQR 4.2-7.9], p < 0.001; respectively). No new onset bleeding complications occurred in all patients. The overall incidence of suspected citrate accumulation was 4.6% and there was no difference between the two groups (p = 0.969), yet a lower rate of metabolic alkalosis was found in the fixed group (3.0% vs. 14.1%, p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Our modified fixed citrate concentration protocol is feasible, safe and effective to enhance the circuit lifespan and the convenience of implementation while maintaining a similar safety when compared to the traditional protocol. Using only commercial preparations may be helpful for widespread application of RCA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov. NCT02663960 . Registered 26 January 2016.

ECMO as a Platform for Rapid Ammonia Removal in a Neonate with Multienzyme Urea Cycle Disorder.

Since the initial deployment of neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for respiratory failure, the use of ECMO in this population has diversified. We present a term female infant with carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 and partial N-acetylglutamate synthase deficiencies who developed severe hyperammonemia refractory to medical management requiring venoarterial ECMO-driven continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration for ammonia detoxification. This case report illustrates a subpopulation where neonatal ECMO may improve survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a urea cycle defect arising from two proximal enzyme deficiencies. Also, this is one of the few reported patients with UCD associated with peak ammonia levels >2,000 µmol/L who survived to hospital discharge after the successful use of ECMO for ammonia reduction. This case will add to the existing scant literature supporting the use of ECMO as a platform for rapid removal of serum ammonia.

ACUsmart Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Platform: Multicenter Pilot Study for Technical and Clinical Assessment (A.M.P. Study).

BACKGROUND: ACUsmart (Medica S.P.A., Italy) is a new-generation, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) machine for critically ill patients with acute kidney injury. We designed a multicenter international pilot study to provide a description of outlines of the ACUsmart system, evaluation aspects of functionality, usability, and feasibility, discriminating reasons of possible treatment's withdrawals or discontinuations and highlighting strong and weak points of the machine. METHODS: Data of 23 CRRT (and 11 plasma exchange) treatments were collected from 4 intensive care units. Parameters such as treatment duration, downtime, delivered dose, and number and type of alarms were recorded. The general perception of the machine was quantified through the administration of a survey to each component of the evaluating staff. RESULTS: A total treatment time of 447 h was carried with ACUsmart. Eleven continuous veno-venous hemofiltration, 4 continuous veno-venous hemodialysis , and 8 continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration were performed. The average percentage of net treatment duration with respect to total treatment duration was 92.37%. The mean prescribed dose and delivered dose were 26.33 and 24.10 mL/kg/h, respectively. In general, the machine was rated by users involved as practical and easy to use, although few components need to be slightly improved. CONCLUSION: ACUsmart is a new multifunctional machine that meets most of the features required in a fourth-generation CRRT equipment.

CO2 and O2 removal during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Carbon dioxide (CO2) accumulation is a challenging issue in critically ill patients. CO2 can be eliminated by renal replacement therapy but studies are scarce and clinical relevance is unknown. We prospectively studied CO2 and O2 behavior at different sample points of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) and build a model to calculate CO2 removal bedside. METHODS: In 10 patients receiving standard CVVH under citrate anticoagulation, blood gas analysis was performed at different sample points within the CVVH circuit. Citrate was then replaced by NaCl 0.9% and sampling was repeated. Total CO2 (tCO2), CO2 flow (V̇CO2) and O2 flow (V̇O2) were compared between different sample points. The effect of citrate on transmembrane tCO2 was evaluated. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test was performed to evaluate significance of difference between 2 data sets. Friedman test was used when more data sets were compared. RESULTS: V̇CO2 in the effluent (26.0 ml/min) correlated significantly with transmembrane V̇CO2 (24.2 ml/min). This represents 14% of the average expired V̇CO2 in ventilated patients. Only 1.3 ml/min CO2 was removed in the de-aeration chamber, suggesting that CO2 was almost entirely cleared across the membrane filter. tCO2 values in effluent, before, and after the filter were not statistically different. Transmembrane tCO2 under citrate or NaCl 0.9% predilution also did not differ significantly. No changes in V̇O2 were observed throughout the CVVH circuit. Based on recorded data, formulas were constructed that allow bedside evaluation of CVVH-attributable CO2 removal. CONCLUSION: A relevant amount of CO2 is removed by CVVH and can be quantified by one simple blood gas analysis within the circuit. Future studies should assess the clinical impact of this observation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov with trial registration number NCT03314363 on October 192,017.

[The effect of continuous veno venous hemofiltration on neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin plasma levels in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of continuous veno venous hemofiltration (CVVH) on neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods: Critically ill patients with AKI who needed CVVH and admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled prospectively from January 2015 to June 2015. AN69 membrane filters were used for CVVH. Prefilter, postfilter,and plasma NGAL measurements were taken at 10 mins, 4 hours and 8 hours (T 10 min, T 4 h, T 8 h) after CVVH. The influence of membrane filter and volume management on NGAL level was analyzed. Results: Forty patients were recruited.The acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score was 22.9±7.0. The sequential organ failure score (SOFA) was 12.1±2.9, and ICU mortality was 27.5%. During CVVH, there were no significant differences in NGAL levels between prefilter [T 10 min:39.3 (24.8, 62.4) µg/min; T 4 h: (45.1±23.2)µg/min; and T 8 h: (45.5±22.4)µg/min] and postfilter [T 10 min: 33.5 (25.1, 60.7) µg/min; T 4 h: (44.2±24.3)µg/min, and T 8 h: (45.9±22.4)µg/min] (P> 0.05 for all). Compared with the survival group[310.0(162.0, 588.0) µg/L], plasma NGAL level in T 10 min [684.0(270.0, 944.0) µg/L] was significantly higher in death group (P= 0.033). After fluid balance correction, T 4 h [603.4(484.8, 620.2) µg/L] and T 8 h [590.2 (475.9, 749.4) µg/L] plasma NGAL levels in death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group [T4 h: 419.5 (227.5, 552.4) µg/L;T 8 h: 400.7(196.1, 517.4) µg/L] with statistical significance (P<0.01 for both). Conclusions: During CVVH, AN69 membrane filter does not have significant effect on plasma NGAL level in critically ill patients with AKI. After volume balance correction, plasma NGAL level could be used as an effective indicator in these patients.

Early Continuous Veno-Venous Hemofiltration Is Effective in Decreasing Intra-Abdominal Pressure and Serum Interleukin-8 Level in Severe Acute Pancreatitis Patients with Abdominal Compartment Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of early continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) in decreasing the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) level in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients with abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Twenty-five ACS patients of SAP were enrolled in a prospective study conducted according to the standard management protocol. They were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Affiliated Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang Medical College and underwent CVVH. Eleven patients were set up as the control group that received no hemofiltration and surgical treatment due to economic or other reasons but solely conventional treatment. Serum amylase, liver and kidney function, and C reactive protein were investigated before and after treatment. IAP and blood level of IL-8 were measured daily to investigate their time course of changes and the correlation between the 2 parameters. RESULTS: Serum amylase levels, C-reactive protein and IAP were significantly lower and liver and kidney function was significantly better than those of the control group (p < 0.05). IAP on admission to the ICU was high, at 22.9 ± 2.1 mm Hg. The IAP was significantly lower to 17.2 ± 2.2 mm Hg (p < 0.01) 24 h after the initiation of CVVH, and thereafter decreased rapidly. The average blood level of IL-8 was high at 88.2 ± 25.1 ng/L on admission. However, it significantly decreased to 63.2 ± 18.7 ng/L (p < 0.01) 24 h after the initiation of CVVH, and subsequently decreased. There was a significant positive correlation between the blood level of IL-8 and IAP(r = 0.62, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CVVH is effective to decrease the IAP and the blood level of IL-8 in ACS patients of SAP. The blood level of IL-8 was significantly correlated with IAP, suggesting that IL-8 might play an important role in the pathogenesis of ACS. Early CVVH appeared to be effective in the treatment of ACS in patients with SAP through the removal of causative cytokines such as IL-8, and it thereby decreased interstitial edema to lower IAP and should be applied in the early stage of ACS. Video Journal Club 'Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco' at http://www.karger.com/?doi=480223.

Nomenclature for renal replacement therapy and blood purification techniques in critically ill patients: practical applications.

This article reports the conclusions of the second part of a consensus expert conference on the nomenclature of renal replacement therapy (RRT) techniques currently utilized to manage acute kidney injury and other organ dysfunction syndromes in critically ill patients. A multidisciplinary approach was taken to achieve harmonization of definitions, components, techniques, and operations of the extracorporeal therapies. The article describes the RRT techniques in detail with the relevant technology, procedures, and phases of treatment and key aspects of volume management/fluid balance in critically ill patients. In addition, the article describes recent developments in other extracorporeal therapies, including therapeutic plasma exchange, multiple organ support therapy, liver support, lung support, and blood purification in sepsis. This is a consensus report on nomenclature harmonization in extracorporeal blood purification therapies, such as hemofiltration, plasma exchange, multiple organ support therapies, and blood purification in sepsis.

Chloride content of solutions used for regional citrate anticoagulation might be responsible for blunting correction of metabolic acidosis during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration.

BACKGROUND: Citrate, the currently preferred anticoagulant for continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH), may influence acid-base equilibrium. METHODS: The effect of 2 different citrate solutions on acid-base status was assessed according to the Stewart-Figge approach in two consecutive cohorts of critically ill adult patients. The first group received Prismocitrate 10/2 (PC10/2; 10 mmol citrate/L). The next group was treated with Prismocitrate 18/0 (PC18; 18 mmol citrate/L). Both groups received bicarbonate-buffered fluids in post-dilution. RESULTS: At similar citrate flow, the metabolic acidosis present at baseline in both groups was significantly attenuated in PC18 patients but persisted in PC10/2 patients after 24 h of treatment (median pH 7,42 vs 7,28; p = 0.0001). Acidosis in the PC10/2 group was associated with a decreased strong ion difference and an increased strong ion gap (respectively 43 vs. 51 mmol/L and 17 vs. 12 mmol/L, PC10/2 vs. PC18; both p = 0.001). Chloride flow was higher in PC10/2 than in PC18 subjects (25.9 vs 14.3 mmol/L blood; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Correction of acidosis was blunted in patients who received 10 mmol citrate/L as regional anticoagulation during CVVH. This could be explained by differences in chloride flow between the applied citrate solutions inducing hyperchloremic acidosis.

Further improvement of circuit survival in citrate based continuous renal replacement therapy.

Background: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is the most frequently used modality of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in critical care patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Adequate CRRT delivery can be challenging, due to problems with circuit patency. To improve circuit patency, we developed a new CRRT protocol using continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) with 3.0 mmol/l regional citrate anticoagulation (CVVHDF/RCA3.0) as our first choice RRT modality. Methods: Retrospective comparison of efficacy and safety of a CVVHDF/RCA3.0 protocol with our former continuous veno-venous hemofiltration protocol with 2.2 regional citrate anticoagulation (CVVH/RCA2.2) in adult critically ill patients with AKI requiring CRRT between 25 April 2020 and 24 October 2021. Results: In total, 56 patients (257 circuits) and 66 patients (290 circuits) were included in the CVVH/RCA2.2 and CVVHDF/RCA3.0 groups, respectively. Median circuit survival was significantly higher in patients treated with CVVHDF/RCA3.0 (39.6 (IQR 19.5-67.3) hours) compared to patients treated with CVVH/RCA2.2 (22.9 (IQR 11.3-48.6) hours) (P < .001). Higher body weight and higher convective flow were associated with a lower circuit survival. Metabolic control was similar, except for metabolic alkalosis that occurred less frequently during CVVHDF/RCA3.0 (19% of patients) compared to CVVH/RCA2.2 (46% of patients) (P = .006). Conclusions: CRRT circuit survival was longer with CVVHDF/RCA3.0 compared to CVVH/RCA2.2. CRRT circuit survival was negatively associated with higher body weight and higher convective flow.

Extracorporeal blood purification benefits in post-caesarean patient with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome due to miliary tuberculosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Miliary tuberculosis is a life-threatening disease caused by the hematogenous spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is uncommon in pregnancy. Mortality rates for patients with miliary tuberculosis who require mechanical ventilation are high (60-70%). CASE PRESENTATION: We reported a rare and challenging case, a 35-year-old Asian woman with 34 weeks of pregnancy, and miliary tuberculosis with acute respiratory distress syndrome and septic shock. The patient presented with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, necessitating mechanical ventilation, vasopressor, and pregnancy termination with caesarean section. The patient underwent blood purification with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration using an oXiris filter for 24 hours. After continuous veno-venous hemofiltration, the patient's condition was greatly improved, and the patient was successfully extubated and was able to breathe spontaneously without vasopressor on the third day. High levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-10, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α were found postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The bacterial infection of tuberculosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and the stress response from the caesarean section contributed to the high levels of cytokines, which correlated with the patient's severe inflammatory condition. The cytokine levels were greatly reduced after the blood purification procedure and this might be associated with the patient's clinical improvement. Extracorporeal blood purification could help to disrupt the vicious cycle of inflammation.

Prognostic risk factors in patients with refractory heart failure treated with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration.

INTRODUCTION: Investigation of the prognostic factors in patients with refractory heart failure (HF) undergoing continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH). METHODS: Clinical data of 146 patients with refractory HF between May 2018 and December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into survival and death groups according to the prognosis. Vital signs, inflammatory markers, and renal function parameters were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: Central venous pressure levels were lower, whereas serum levels of brain natriuretic peptide, oxygen saturation, and cardiac output were higher after treatment (p < 0.05). Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, serum levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-8, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and 24-h urinary protein were lower after treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CVVH improved renal function and regulated blood pressure and vital signs in patients with refractory HF. Age, APACHE II score, disease duration, and hypotension were risk factors affecting the prognosis.

Micronutrient deficiencies in critically ill patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is essential to the management of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critical illness. Unfortunately, large quantities of micronutrients are shown to be lost in CRRT effluent. Current literature describes serum micronutrient values in CRRT patients to be below-reference range, yet seldom compares such values to other critically ill populations unexposed to CRRT. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the prevalence of micronutrient and carnitine deficiencies in critically ill patients at high malnutrition risk exposed to CRRT to a group of patient unexposed to CRRT. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at Duke University Hospital using the electronic medical record. The study group consisted of patients at high malnutrition risk requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission from 01/01/2017-12/31/2018 with one or more of the following serum micronutrient levels checked: carnitine, copper, zinc, selenium, and vitamins B1, B6, B9, and C. Micronutrient deficiencies were defined as below the reference range and carnitine deficiencies were interpreted as an acyl to free carnitine ratio (ACFR) of >0.4. RESULTS: 106 ICU patients met inclusion criteria and 46% were exposed to CRRT. At least one micronutrient deficiency was reported in 90% of CRRT patients compared to 61% patients unexposed to CRRT (p = 0.002). A greater percentage of copper (p < 0.001) and carnitine (p < 0.001) deficiencies were found among patients exposed to CRRT, while more zinc deficiencies were noted among non-CRRT patients (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of CRRT patients presented with micronutrient deficiencies. Clinicians should have a heightened awareness of the risk for serum copper, carnitine, and vitamin B6 deficiencies among CRRT patients. Further prospective and randomized-controlled trials are needed to better define this new category of malnutrition and test supplementation strategies to address and prevent these clinically-relevant deficiencies.

Low bicarbonate replacement fluid normalizes metabolic alkalosis during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration with regional citrate anticoagulation.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic alkalosis is a frequently occurring problem during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) with regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of switching from high to low bicarbonate (HCO3-) replacement fluid in alkalotic critically ill patients with acute kidney injury treated by CVVH and RCA. METHODS: A retrospective-comparative study design was applied. Patients who underwent CVVH with RCA in the ICU between 09/2016 and 11/2017 were evaluated. Data were available from the clinical routine. A switch of the replacement fluid Phoxilium® (30 mmol/l HCO3-) to Biphozyl® (22 mmol/l HCO3-) was performed as blood HCO3- concentration persisted ≥ 26 mmol/l despite adjustments of citrate dose and blood flow. Data were collected from 72 h before the switch of the replacement solutions until 72 h afterwards. RESULTS: Of 153 patients treated with CVVH during that period, 45 patients were switched from Phoxilium® to Biphozyl®. Forty-two patients (42 circuits) were available for statistical analysis. After switching the replacement fluid from Phoxilium® to Biphozyl® the serum HCO3- concentration decreased significantly from 27.7 mmol/l (IQR 26.9-28.9) to 25.8 mmol/l (IQR 24.6-27.7) within 24 h (p < 0.001). Base excess (BE) decreased significantly from 4.0 mmol/l (IQR 3.1-5.1) to 1.8 mmol/l (IQR 0.2-3.4) within 24 h (p < 0.001). HCO3- and BE concentration remained stable from 24 h till the end of observation at 72 h after the replacement fluid change (p = 0.225). pH and PaCO2 did not change significantly after the switch of the replacement fluid until 72 h. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis suggests that for patients developing refractory metabolic alkalosis during CVVH with RCA the use of Biphozyl® reduces external HCO3- load and sustainably corrects intracorporeal HCO3- and BE concentrations. Future studies have to prove whether correcting metabolic alkalosis during CVVH with RCA in critically ill patients is of relevance in terms of clinical outcome.