Polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column direct hemoperfusion and continuous hemodiafiltration in premature neonates with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

BACKGROUND

There have been no previous studies regarding whether combined use of Polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) and continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) is helpful in the treatment of preterm infants with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and hypercytokinemia.

METHODS

A retrospective review was carried out of 18 SIRS infants born at gestational week 24-28. Eight with blood interleukin (IL)-6 ≥ 1000 pg/mL were treated actively with 2 h PMX-DHP followed by 2 h PMX-DHP and CHDF. Ten with IL-6 < 500 pg/mL were treated conventionally (with neither PMX-DHP nor CHDF) and served as controls.

RESULTS

Demographic characteristics were similar except for IL-6, arterial-to-alveolar oxygen tension ratio (a/APO2 ), and number of immature neutrophils between the two groups. Baseline a/APO2 was significantly lower in infants with than without active treatment (0.44 vs 0.67, respectively, P = 0.002). After 4 h treatment, the IL-6 decreased to < 500 pg/mL in all eight infants, and a/APO2 improved significantly to 0.62 (P = 0.006). Bronchopulmonary dysplasia occurred in a similar proportion (63%, 5/8 vs 80%, 8/10, respectively), but the number of days on inhaled oxygen (30 vs 47 days, respectively, P = 0.033) and tracheal intubation (36 vs 51 days, respectively, P = 0.040) was significantly lower in infants with than without active treatment. Prevalence of adverse events was similar (13%, 1/8 vs 50%, 5/10 for active vs conventional treatment, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Active treatment with PMX-DHP and CHDF was helpful in the reduction of days on inhaled oxygen and tracheal intubation in preterm SIRS infants with hypercytokinemia. Further prospective randomized studies are warranted.