[Treatment of comatose patients by extracorporeal hemoperfusion with activated charcoal]

Hemoperfusion with activated charcoal is indicated in intoxications and in hepatic comma because the charcoal absorbs toxic substances. Good results have been obtained so far with activated charcoal liver perfusion in barbiturate intoxications, but less satisfactory results in hepatic comma. The indication for perfusion should also be made in clinically hopeless cases. The principal complications with activated charcoal perfusion are a decrease in thrombocytes and microemboli of charchoal particles. These complications can be avoided by coating the charcoal particles. A flow-rate of 200-300 ml/min is best in humans because this flow-rate ist guaranteed by an AV shunt in the forearm.