Experience with fixed-bred charcoal haemoperfusion in the treatment of severe drug intoxication

Fifteen patients who were severely poisoned with either hypnotic drugs or salicylate were treated by charcoal haemoperfusion. The device contained 100g of activated charcoal immobilised by fixation to a polyester film. Two patients showed no response and eventually died. The remainder showed marked lightening of coma and recovered uneventfully. Complications of platelet loss and, in one patient, fibrinolysis were observed, but these had no serious consequences. No significant biochemical disturbances occurred with the exception of one patient who presented with hypocalcaemia and required intravenous calcium throughout the treatment. Drug clearance values were comparable with those obtained with columns containing 300 g of acrylic polymer coated charcoal.