[Continuous blood purification in the treatment of pediatric septic shock].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of continuous blood purification (CBP) and to explore its mechanism in the treatment of pediatric septic shock.

METHODS

Nine children weighted 3.1 kg - 14.0 kg with septic shock were treated with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) which is also referred to as CBP with blood access of double-lumen hemodialysis catheter of 6.5 to 8Fr inserted via central vein, hemofilters of Minifilter plus (for children with body weight < 5 kg) or AV400s (for children with body weight > or = 5 kg), child's type extracorporeal circuit vessel and heparin anticoagulation. The replacement solution was delivered pre-dilution after 3 to 4 hours' post-dilution. The blood gas, clinical biochemical items, medium molecule substance (MMS) concentration in blood as well as capillary refill time (CRT), BP, urine output, vasopressors dosage were examined at a set of time points from the beginning to the end of the CVVH.

RESULTS

Of the 9 children, 6 had acute renal failure (ARF), 3 had acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), 5 were blood culture positive and all the 9 needed vasopressors to keep BP before CVVH. The blood pH was 7.14 +/- 0.23, base excess (BE) was -11.3 +/- 4.25 mmol/L, MMS was 3532 +/- 519 U/L, PO2/FiO2 was 188 +/- 33, CRT > 5 s, urine output was 0.85 +/- 0.52 ml/(kg.hr) and the adrenalin dosage 1.36 +/- 0.48 microg/(kg.min), and dopamine 16.35 +/- 3.27 microg/(kg.min) before CVVH. The patients' condition was improved much as demonstrated by pH 7.38 +/- 0.16, BE -0.28 +/- 1.37 mmol/L, MMS 2576 +/- 375 U/L, PO2/FiO2 285 +/- 63, CRT < 2 s, and the adrenalin dosage 0.08 +/- 0.04 microg/(kg.min) and dopamine 8.53 +/- 6.72 microg/(kg.min), urine output 2.9 +/- 1.6 ml/(kg.hr) after 24 hour treatment with CVVH. Of the 9 children, 2 died of MODS (1 intussusception complicated with intestine necrosis, 1 severe scald) and 1 was given up because of severe intestinal fistula, the other 6 children recovered at the end.

CONCLUSION

CBP was effective in treatment of pediatric septic shock by improving the oxygenation, correcting metabolic acidosis, stabilizing BP, increasing the tissue perfusion and eliminating the medium molecule substances.