Effect of continuous high-volume hemofiltration on patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome

Abstract

To investigate the effect of continuous high-volume hemofiltration (HVHF) on extravascular lung water and respiratory mechanics in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Forty-one patients with ARDS and MODS were randomized into control group (20 patients) and HVHF treatment group (21 patients). The patients in HVHF treatment group undergoing mechanical ventilation were treated with HVHF (6 L/h) for 24 hours. The pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) catheter was inserted for monitoring cardiac output (CO), the extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) and intrathoracic blood volume index (ITBVI). Arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO(2)), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO(2)), oxygenation index (PaO(2)/FiO(2)), peak airway pressure (Ppeak) and dynamic compliance (Cdyn) were measured. Concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in blood were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All indexes in control group did not show significant improvement before and after treatment (all P>0.05). There was significant lowering of concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in blood after HVHF at 24 hours, and also true in CO and EVLWI (all P<0.05). Ppeak and Cdyn were improved significantly, PaO(2)/FiO(2) increased markedly, and compared with that before HVHF and control group, significant differences were found in all the indexes (all P<0.05). HVHF shows significant beneficial effects on pulmonary function of patients with ARDS and MODS as a result of removal of cytokines, decrease in EVLWI and amelioration of disturbance in oxygen metabolism.