Critical, acutely poisoned patients treated with continuous arteriovenous hemoperfusion in the emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficiency of a new non-pump hemoperfusion technique, continuous arteriovenous hemoperfusion, in the treatment of critical, acutely poisoned patients.


METHODS
Emergency department of a general hospital.


METHODS
Acutely poisoned patients who failed to respond to intensive supportive treatment and needed hemoperfusion therapy.


METHODS
All patients received continuous arteriovenous hemoperfusion therapy for 4 to 8 hours. Toxicant clearances were determined by obtaining serial theophylline and phenobarbital levels every 2 hours before, during, and after continuous arteriovenous hemoperfusion. Platelet counts, whole-blood activated clotting time, and vital signs were monitored.


RESULTS
The clinical condition of these patients improved rapidly after continuous arteriovenous hemoperfusion was started. The treatments were performed easily, and no significant complications occurred. The clearances of theophylline and phenobarbital were 192.79 +/- 1.55 mL/min and 290.25 +/- 25.33 mL/min, respectively, similar to those of conventional hemoperfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuous arteriovenous hemoperfusion is a simple, safe, effective, and less costly alternative to conventional hemoperfusion, especially in the EDs of hospitals without hemoperfusion facilities immediately available.
Lin
J L
JL
Division of Nephrology and Poison Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Chang Gung Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Jeng
L B
LB
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004630:Emergencies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006464:Hemoperfusion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000506:poisoning; D011041:Poisoning / Q000628:therapy*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000506:poisoning
D013806:Theophylline; D010634:Phenobarbital