Clinical effects of use polymyxin B fixed on fibers in liver transplant patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

UNLABELLED: Polymyxin B (PMX-B) is a polycationic antibiotic, known to bind the lipid A portion of endotoxin, a cell wall component exclusively found in gram-negative bacteria (GNB). An extracorporeal hemoperfusion device (TORAYMYXIN) has been developed: PMX is covalently bound to the surface of an insoluble carrier material to inactivate endotoxin in blood without exerting toxicity on the brain or the kidney. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and clinical effects of direct hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B fiber column (DHP-PMX) among liver transplant patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

METHODS: From June 2004 to May 2005, 10 patients (6 men and 4 women) of overall mean age of 55 years (46-65 range) underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and developed severe sepsis or septic shock according to The Consensus Conference of American College Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine (ACCP/SCCM) criteria. GNB were detected in all treated patients who received conventional antibiotic therapy, vasopressor or inotropic agents, and ventilatory support. The DHP-PMX treatment was performed three times in each patient. Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters and dosages of vasopressor or inotropic drugs were assessed at baseline and after each treatment.

RESULTS: No adverse events occurred. From baseline to the third treatment the mean arterial pressure increased from 64 +/- 5 mm Hg to 89 +/- 4 mm Hg); while the dosages of dobutamine and norepinephrine were reduced: 6.4 to 1 mcg/kg/min and 1.3 to 0.001 mcg/kg per min, respectively. The PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio increased: 214 to 291 mm Hg.

CONCLUSION: The use of DHP-PMX may be an important aid in patients with sepsis in association with conventional therapy.