Impact of high volume hemofiltration on hemodynamic disturbance and outcome during septic shock

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of high volume continuous venovenous hemofiltration (HVCVVH) on hemodynamic and outcome in patients with septic shock. The primary end point was mortality at 28 days. Study design was a prospective case series, and study setting was a 12 bed intensive care unit at a university hospital. A total of 24 consecutive patients with septic shock were included, with dysfunction of more than two organs. All patients were treated by HVCVVH with ultrafiltration rate between 40 ml x kg(-1) x hr(-1) and 60 ml x kg(-1) x hr(-1) for 96 hours. In all patients, the increase in hemodynamic parameters was statistically significant (p < 0.05), with a significant linear decrease in norepinephrine doses (p < 0.05). The predicted 28 day mortality by three different severity scores was more than 70%, and the mortality in the hemofiltration group was 46% (p < 0.075). In the present study of septic shock patients with organ dysfunction, the hemodynamic parameters increased regularly during treatment by HVCVVH. This study suggests a beneficial effect of HVCVVH on 28 day mortality (46% vs. 70%), and further studies with larger cohorts are required.