Hemoperfusion in Cardiac Surgery and ECMO

Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) such as cardiopulmonary bypass or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may induce a complex activation of the immune system. To date, strategies to mitigate this activation have failed to translate into meaningful improvement of clinical outcomes. Hemoperfusion is a blood purification technique, which relies on mass separation by a solid agent (hemoadsorption). It can be performed by adding a cartridge filled with adsorptive sorbent in the extracorporeal circuit. These devices have the theoretical advantage to enable the removal of excess pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules. Several studies have demonstrated the feasibility and safety of hemoperfusion during cardiac surgery. They have suggested that the procedure could decrease cytokine levels in situations where they were elevated. However, further studies are required to determine the clinical indications, timing, and duration of hemoperfusion during cardiac surgery. Although a similar rationale can apply to hemoperfusion in ECMO, available data in this situation are even more limited and results are conflicting. In this chapter, we discuss the rationale for hemoperfusion with ECC, how to practically do it, and the current level of evidence supporting this therapy.