[Rationale for the use of extracorporeal treatments for sepsis]

Sepsis is the leading cause of disability and mortality among critical patients; moreover, it causes high economic expenditures. Although very much is known about the pathophysiology of this condition and its mediators despite great investments directed to its control, mortality rates remain high. Recent treatment manuals emphasize the value of early goal-oriented therapy and also point to the high efficacy of activated protein C. Extracorporeal blood clearance may potentially become a new approach to treating this condition. There are reports on its positive clinical results that are likely associated with the effective removal of septic mediators. Human and animal studies, few and rather alike as they are, have yielded promising results. It is evident that the use of these procedures is justified; however, their efficiency in sepsis requires large-scale, correctly conducted studies.