Plasmapheresis in severe sepsis or septic shock

During sepsis, there is release of various endotoxins from microorganisms which more or less activates cascade systems including release of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 and complement components. This causes impairment of vascular integrity and permeability which may progress into septic shock and a disseminated intravascular coagulation which progresses into multiorgan failure, including acute renal failure and subsequent death. Although most endotoxins and cytokines have a molecular size < 50 kD, there is little efficacy in removal of them by hemofiltration filters used for acute dialysis. The use of antibodies against different endotoxins has not been successful. The use of plasma exchange procedures (including blood exchange) to remove such toxins and cell debris, as free myoglobin and hemoglobin, has been successfully tried in smaller not controlled studies since 1984. Once when more than three organs are involved in a progressive manner, the risk of death is at least 80%. In contrast, these studies showed a survival rate of about 75% by addition of such therapeutic interventions to the conventional intensive care unit treatment. The substitution of the removed plasma products must be considered to include products important for the host defense and coagulation process and to avoid infections, bleeding, or increased coagulation. This type of removal is unselective and probably in the future will include addition of absorption techniques which may add further benefit to the outcome.