Cytokine Hemoadsorption in ECMO Patients

Cytokine hemoadsorption is a novel therapy used to improve outcome in critically ill patients with a dysregulated cytokine response and hemodynamic instability. Patients on extracorporeal membraneous oxygenation (ECMO) often develop severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Cytokine removal using different types of hemoadsorption devices is believed to block the vicious circle of inflammation dysregulation when other basic therapeutic measures fail. To date there are very limited reports on ECMO and cytokine hemoadsorption combination therapy. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate feasibility and effectiveness of hemoadsorption in veno-arterial and veno-venous ECMO patients.