Plasma exchange as rescue therapy in multiple organ failure including acute renal failure

To describe the outcome of using a rescue therapy including plasma exchange given to patients with a progressive acute disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Retrospective study.

University and county hospital.

Included were 76 consecutive patients (41 men and 35 women) treated with plasma exchange as rescue therapy besides optimal conventional therapy during a progressive course of disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, including acute renal failure. Of the 76 patients, 66% needed dialysis. The distribution was hemodialysis in 76%, continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration in 36%, continuous venovenous hemodialysis in 12%, and peritoneal dialysis in 24%. The median organ-failure score was 5 (range, 1-6). Seventy-two percent required mechanical ventilation; septic shock was present in 88%. The median septic shock score was 4 (range, 2-4). Nine patients had another reason than sepsis for the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Plasma exchange (centrifugation technique) was performed until disseminated intravascular coagulation was reversed (median, two times; range, 1-14). Besides antibiotics and fluid administration, most patients received heparin or low molecular weight heparin (77%), steroids (87%), and inotropes (88%). More than one vasoactive drug was used in 57% of the patients.

Eighty-two percent of the patients survived and could leave the hospital. The previously observed survival rates by others for this category of patients would be <20%, and thus, the outcome in this study is significantly better.

Plasma exchange using plasma as replacement may, in addition to conventional intensive care, help to reverse severe progressive disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and improve survival.