Clinical outcome of hemoperfusion in poisoned patients

Extracorporeal removal techniques are effective methods for toxin removal from the body. To define the safety and clinical outcomes of hemoperfusion, we evaluated retrospectively clinical outcomes of hemoperfusion over a 3-year period in our clinical center. From January 2006 to December 2008, we analyzed 803 patients. Mortality, catheter-related bleeding, systemic bleeding, hypocalcemia, and thrombocytopenia were investigated. Medical drugs (n = 54) and pesticide toxins (n = 749) were represented. Pesticides included herbicides (n = 598), insecticides (n = 130), mixed herbicides and insecticides (n = 4), and unknown pesticides (n = 17). Among those with herbicide poisoning, 493 cases were caused by paraquat, and among those affected by insecticides, 67 cases were caused by organophosphate insecticides. After hemoperfusion, systemic bleeding complications were observed in 26 cases (3.0%). Systemic bleeding was a greater mortality risk factor than nonsystemic bleeding (OR 2.779, 95% CI 1.07-7.23). Hypocalcemia was observed in 69.1% and thrombocytopenia in 31.1%. Excess mortality was 44.4%. In hemoperfusion cases, systemic bleeding is a major factor to predict adverse outcome.