Hemoadsorption by extracorporeal cytokine adsorption therapy (CytoSorb®) in the management of septic shock: A retrospective observational study

Introduction: Sepsis results in immunologic disturbances with the release of various inflammatory mediators such as cytokines. Cytokines can damage the cells, and the continuous release of inflammatory mediators leads to severely impaired immunity. Therefore, the reduction in cytokine levels by hemoadsorption represents a new concept for blood purification. CytoSorb (R) as a hemoadsorption device is a detoxification system, which aims to decrease the cytokines levels. This study was conducted to understand any beneficial effects of CytoSorb (R) therapy in septic patients. Methodology: This was a retrospective and observational study, approved by the scientific and ethics committee of Max Super Specialty Hospital, Patparganj, Delhi, India and conducted in compliance with current International Council for Harmonization, Good Clinical Practice, Schedule Y, and Indian Council of Medical Research guidelines. Subjects of either gender (age > 18 year) were included in the study. The data were presented as mean +/- standard deviation and categorical as frequency and percentage (%). A p value less than 0.05 (p < 0.05) was considered to be statistically significant. Results: A total number of 36 patients were included in the study. Majority of the patients were male with mean age (56.36 +/- 14.83). After therapy, procalcitonin and total leucocyte count levels decreased within 24 h. Post therapy, sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score of Day (D)1, D2, and D3 reduced to 10.4 +/- 3.63, 8.7 +/- 4.02, and 7.8 +/- 3.67, respectively. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score and predicted mortality were lower in the survivor group as compared to the non-survivor group. Conclusion: Hemoadsorption using the extracorporeal adsorption device (CytoSorb (R)) might be an effective rescue therapy in stabilizing septic shock patients.