A new endotoxin adsorber: first clinical application

Abstract

In an open, uncontrolled pilot study, 5 men and 1 woman with suspected gram-negative sepsis were treated with a new whole-blood endotoxin adsorption system. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) adsorption was carried out by hemoperfusion over high-affinity polymethacrylate-bound albumin (Fresenius Endotoxin Adsorber EN 500). All patients suffered from endotoxemia (>20 pg/ml LAL) and met at least two systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria. Four patients suffered from pneumonia due to mechanical ventilation, one from peritonitis, and one from pneumonia and peritonitis. Endotoxin adsorption was very well tolerated, and efficient LPS removal was shown in all patients. Apache II score immediately before immunoadsorption was 23.5 and was 22.3 after the last treatment. All 6 critically ill patients improved substantially and were discharged from the intensive care unit. LPS whole blood immunoadsorption is a promising new method. No side effects have been observed thus far. A large controlled study to prove clinical efficacy in patients with severe sepsis is under way.