ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of early application of high-volume hemofiltration treatment (HVHF) on the levels of lactic acid, pro-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein (CRP) in plasma, as well as APACHE II score in patients suffering from severe sepsis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty patients meeting the diagnosis of severe sepsis were enrolled in the trial within 24 hours of insults. The level of lactic acid, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and CRP in plasma were measured before HVHF and at 24, 48 or 72 h following HVHF treatment.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The plasma levels of lactic acid and IL-6 decreased significantly at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h after HVHF (P <0.05), while, IL-10 did not differ significantly following HVHF (P>0.05), when compared with that before HVHF.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The early application of HVHF could clear the plasma lactic acid and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and improve the tissue oxygenation in severe sepsis.</p>