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Updated: Apr 19, 2026
06:28
Endotoxin Activity Assay for the Detection of Whole Blood Endotoxemia in Critically Ill Patients
Published on: June 24, 2019
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Alteco endotoxin hemoadsorption in Gram-negative septic shock patients
Hoi Ping Shum1, Yuk Wah Leung1, Sin Man Lam1
1Department of Intensive Care, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Summary
This study found that Alteco endotoxin hemoadsorption did not significantly improve outcomes for patients with Gram-negative septic shock. The device showed minimal side effects but did not offer clinical benefits over conventional therapy.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Severe sepsis and septic shock are leading causes of mortality in intensive care units.
- Endotoxin from Gram-negative bacteria plays a key role in sepsis pathogenesis.
- Investigating novel therapies like endotoxin hemoadsorption is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the Alteco endotoxin hemoadsorption device in treating Gram-negative septic shock.
- To assess the impact of endotoxin hemoadsorption on patient outcomes and organ function.
- To determine the safety and side-effect profile of the Alteco device.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, controlled trial comparing conventional therapy with therapy plus Alteco endotoxin hemoadsorption.
- Patients with intra-abdominal sepsis-induced shock were enrolled.
- Primary endpoint: Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score changes; secondary endpoints: vasopressor use, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, length of stay, and mortality.
Main Results:
- The study was terminated early due to a low probability of significant findings.
- No statistically significant differences were observed in SOFA scores, vasopressor requirements, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, length of stay, or 28-day mortality between groups.
- The Alteco endotoxin hemoadsorption device demonstrated a minimal side-effect profile.
Conclusions:
- The addition of Alteco endotoxin hemoadsorption to conventional therapy did not provide a clinical benefit for patients with intra-abdominal sepsis and shock.
- The novel hemoadsorption device was found to be acceptable in terms of its side effect profile.
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