Direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B immobilized fiber for abdominal sepsis in Europe

Koichi Sato1, Hiroshi Maekawa, Mutsumi Sakurada

  • 1Department of Surgery, Juntendo Shizuoka Hospital, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 1129 Izunokuni, Shizuoka, 410-2295, Japan.

Surgery Today
|June 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B immobilized fiber (PMX-DHP) shows promise in improving hemodynamic status and reducing mortality in sepsis patients. Further randomized controlled trials are ongoing to confirm these beneficial effects in intensive care settings.

Area of Science:

  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Nephrology
  • Sepsis Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Polymyxin B immobilized fiber direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) is an extracorporeal therapy.
  • PMX-DHP received European certification in 1998 for treating sepsis.
  • Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated its efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the existing evidence from RCTs on PMX-DHP.
  • To assess the impact of PMX-DHP on hemodynamic status, organ function, and mortality in sepsis.
  • To identify areas of controversy and the need for further research.

Main Methods:

  • Review of prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in Europe and North America.
  • Analysis of meta-analyses and systematic reviews evaluating PMX-DHP.
  • Examination of clinical outcomes including hemodynamic parameters, oxygenation, vasopressor use, and mortality.

Main Results:

  • Early RCTs and meta-analyses suggested improved hemodynamic status, reduced vasopressor use, better oxygenation (PaO2/FiO2 ratio), and endotoxin removal.
  • The EUPHAS study indicated improved 28-day survival, blood pressure, and organ failure scores.
  • Some studies reported no statistically significant difference in 28-day survival, highlighting a need for further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • PMX-DHP has demonstrated potential benefits in improving sepsis management, particularly in hemodynamic support and organ function.
  • Contradictory findings regarding mortality benefits necessitate ongoing large-scale RCTs like ABDO-MIX and EUPHRATES.
  • Further high-quality evidence is crucial to definitively establish the role of PMX-DHP in sepsis treatment.