Effects of the timing and intensity of treatment on septic shock patients treated with CytoSorb®: Clinical experience

Introduction: A group of adult septic shock patients treated with hemoperfusion (HA) with the Cytosorb® associated with CVVHD were studied to determine (a) the effects of this technique on different clinical variables; and (b) the impact of the pre CytoSorb® interval and its intensity on the outcome. Methods: The catecholamine index (CI) and the pressure-catecholamine Index (PCAI) were used to assess the amount of catecholamine administered at baseline and during the procedure, respectively. The pre-treatment time was calculated since the onset of the septic-shock related hypotension and the initiation of the first session and the intensity was assessed considering either the total volume of blood processed and the duration of the HA. Results: Overall, 51 patients with septic shock (30 m, 21 f), age 68 years (IQR 59–76) were retrospectively enrolled in the study; 26 were discharged alive form the ICU (S) and 25 died in ICU (NS); in the S group either CI and PCAI decreased significantly but in NS the CI increased and the PCAI remained stable in NS. In S, the time elapsing from the onset of symptoms and the start of Cytosorb® was shorter than in NS; the duration of the treatment and the volume of blood processed were significantly higher in S than in NS. Conclusions: In this group of septic shock patients, the earlier initiation of Cytosorb®, its longer duration and the higher volume of blood processed were associated with a better survival.