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Introduction: Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a widely used anticonvulsant with a low molecular weight that allows for extracorporeal removal of free drug by both dialytic and hemoperfusion techniques, particularly in a massive overdose where serum protein binding is saturated. This report presents a case of CBZ intoxication where we were able to compare the mass removal of CBZ using hemoperfusion, with the mass removal of CBZ achieved with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) during combined treatment. Methods: The Jafron HA230 resin hemoperfusion cartridge was applied in series with the continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) circuit. Baseline and ongoing serum drug levels along with further samples from pre- and post-hemoperfusion cartridges and from CVVH effluent were collected. Results: Combined CVVH and resin hemoperfusion therapy in series was associated with a 50% reduction in the CBZ level from 16 mg/L to 8 mg/L over 3 h, far more rapid than that observed with CVVH alone or in the absence of extracorporeal drug clearance in the preceding hours. The combination therapy removed close to 35 mg/h of CBZ. Conclusion: The combination of CRRT and hemoperfusion can be easily deployed, appears safe, and is able to combine the CBZ mass removal achieved with each technique, thus to maximize CBZ extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) technique may affect circuit lifespan. A shorter circuit life may reduce CRRT efficacy and increase costs. Methods: In a before-and-after study, we compared circuit median survival time during continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) versus continuous venovenous hemodialysis (-CVVHD). We performed log-rank mixed effects univariate analysis and Cox mixed effect regression modeling to define predictors of circuit lifespan. Results: We compared 197 -CVVHD and 97 CVVH circuits in 39 patients. There was no overall difference in circuit lifespan. When no anticoagulation was used, median circuit survival time was shorter for CVVH circuits (5 h, 95% CI 3–7 vs. 10 h, 95% CI 8–13, p < 0.01). Moreover, CVVHD, lower platelets levels, and longer activated partial thromboplastin time independently predicted longer circuit median survival time. Conclusions: CVVHD is associated with longer circuit median survival time than CVVH when no anticoagulation is used and is an independent predictor of circuit survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Omni ® (B. Braun, Germany) is a new-generation, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) machine designed to improve user interface, minimize downtime and optimize renal dose delivery. It was never tested in humans. Methods: We used Omni ® to provide CRRT in 10 critically ill patients. We collected therapy data, metabolic parameters and evaluated user's satisfaction with a survey. Results: CRRT was delivered using Omni ® in CVVH-heparin (6 patients) and CVVHD-citrate (4 patients) modes for a total duration of 617.7 h. No adverse event was observed. The mean filter life was 22.8 (CVVH-heparin) and 33.5 (CVVHD-citrate) h. Alarms-related downtime corresponded to 5.9% of total therapy time. Delivered renal dose was 96.6% of prescribed. Satisfactory metabolic control and fluid removal were achieved. Overall, users evaluated interface, design and usability as excellent. Conclusion: CRRT in CVVH-heparin and CVVHD-citrate modes was provided using Omni ® in a safe and efficient way for 10 critically ill patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To measure plasma pro-apoptotic and pro-necrotic activity in severe acute kidney injury (AKI) patients within a randomized controlled trial of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration with high cut-off filters (CVVH-HCO) versus standard filters (CVVH-Std). Methods: We measured pro-apoptotic and pro-necrotic plasma activity by trypan blue exclusion cell viability assay, detection of DNA fragmentation, and by determination of caspase-3 activity and annexin V-based apoptosis and necrosis detection assay. Results: Compared to no apoptosis or necrosis after incubation with healthy plasma, 14-18% of cells showed apoptosis and 4-8% showed necrosis after incubation with plasma from AKI patients. When comparing different measures of pro-apoptotic or pro-necrotic activity, CVVH-HCO and CVVH-Std showed no differential effects on such activity, which remained high over the first 3 days of treatment. However, using annexin V-FITC, there was a significant drop in pro-apoptotic activity across the filter for the CVVH-HCO group (p = 0.043) but not for the CVVH-Std group (p = 0.327) and a significant difference between the two groups (CVVH-HCO vs. CVVH-Std p = 0.006). Conclusions: Patients with severe AKI have increased pro-apoptotic and pro-necrotic activity. Although on single-pass effect assessment, CVVH-HCO was superior to CVVH-Std in decreasing annexin V-FITC-assessed pro-apoptotic activity, there was no overall attenuation of such activity during the first 3 days of treatment. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) bubble trap chamber is a frequent site of clotting. Aims: To assess clot formation when comparing our standard 'vertical' blood entry chamber (BEC) with a new 'horizontal' BEC. Methods: Adult ICU patients requiring CRRT were treated with the vertical BEC and then a similar subsequent cohort with the horizontal BEC in continuous veno-venous haemofiltration mode. Results: 40 chambers were assessed for each design. Circuit life was 13.9 ± 9.5 h for the vertical and 17.7 ± 15.9 h for the horizontal BEC (p = 0.33). APTT, however, was higher for the horizontal BEC (55.7 ± 34.7 vs. 37.4 ± 9.0, p < 0.002) and no difference in circuit life was found after multivariable analysis. A clotting score ≥3 was observed in 85% of all chambers. There was no difference in chamber clotting score (vertical 3.6 ± 1.03 vs. horizontal 3.8 ± 1.0, p = 0.5). In addition, no difference was found when scores were divided into two groups using a 'likelihood' to clot analysis (p = 1.0). Conclusion: CRRT horizontal BEC were not associated with less clotting compared to our standard vertical BEC. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To examine biochemical effects of phosphate-containing replacement fluid (Phoxilium®) for continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH). Methods: Retrospective comparison of respective serum biochemistry with sequential use of Accusol™ and Phoxilium, each over 48 h of CVVH. Results: We studied 15 critically ill patients. Accusol was switched to Phoxilium after 5 (4-8) days of CVVH. Respective serum biochemistry after 36-42 h of Accusol versus Phoxilium were: phosphate 1.02 (0.82-1.15) versus 1.44 (1.23-1.78) mmol/l, ionized calcium 1.28 (1.22-1.32) versus 1.12 (1.06-1.21) mmol/l, bicarbonate 24 (23-25) versus 20 (19-22) mmol/l, base excess 0 (-2 to 1) versus -4 (-6 to -3) mmol/l (p < 0.001). Cumulative phosphate intakes during respective periods were 69.6 (56.6-76.6) versus 67.2 (46.6-79.0) mmol (p = 0.45). Plasma strong ion differences were narrower with Phoxilium (p < 0.05), with similar strong ion gaps. No additional intravenous phosphate was given during Phoxilium use. Seven patients had serum phosphate >1.44 mmol/l. Conclusions: Phoxilium versus Accusol use during CVVH effectively prevented hypophosphatemia but contributed to mild hyperphosphatemia, and is associated with relative hypocalcemia and metabolic acidosis. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Attempts at achieving cytokine homeostasis include blood purification to deliver cytokine removal. Assessment of ex vivo studies for optimal operating conditions is a vital step. Methods: We conducted a systematic search for ex vivo studies on cytokine removal using known modalities of extracorporeal circulation. We selected 29 articles and analyzed data according to clearance, sieving coefficient, ultrafiltrate concentration and percentage removal. Results: We identified four main techniques for cytokine removal: standard techniques, high cut-off (HCO) techniques, adsorption techniques and combined plasma filtration adsorption. HCO hemofiltration (HCO/HF) showed greatest consistency in cytokine removal among all approaches. Mean albumin clearance with HCO filters was 3.74 ml/min. Conclusion: Ex vivo data support the view that HCO/HF is the most consistently effective approach in terms of sieving and clearance. Further investigation of HCO/HF in randomized controlled trials in animal models and humans seems desirable. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]