A rare case of extensive hydrofluoric acid burn.

Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is a strongly corrosive, highly toxic, and highly dangerous mineral acid. Burns with over 1% total body surface area (TBSA) caused by anhydrous HF can lead to deep tissue damage, hypocalcaemia, poisoning, even death. In recent years, HF has become one of the most common substances causing chemical burns and ranks as the leading cause of death from chemical burns. Herein, we report a rare case with 91% TBSA burns caused by 35% HF. The patient developed complications such as shock, severe hypocalcaemia, metabolic acidosis, and respiratory failure. Multidisciplinary team consultation (burns, respiratory medicine, nephrology, infectious disease, and pharmacy) was performed immediately after admission. An individualized diagnosis and treatment plan was developed for the patient. The patient was given intensive care, blood volume monitoring, tracheotomy, fluid resuscitation, continuous blood purification, anti-infective and analgesic treatments, intravenous and percutaneous calcium supplementation, early rehabilitation training, psychological rehabilitation and other treatments. To prevent the wound from deepening, large-area debridement and skin grafting were performed early after injury. A large dose of 10% calcium gluconate was injected into the patient in divided doses, and the wound was continuously treated with wet dressings. Multiple surgical debridements, negative pressure wound treatment, biological dressings, and Meek skin grafting were performed. After most of the wounds (approximately 85% TBSA) healed, the patient was discharged from the hospital and continued to undergo dressing changes at a local hospital. The patient was followed up 3 months after discharge. All the wounds healed well, and the patient basically regained functional independence in daily life.

Evaluation of continuous blood purification in patients with urosepsis caused by ureteral calculi and heart failure after catheterization.

Objective: To detect the continuous blood purification (CBP)'s application value in patients with urosepsis caused by ureteral calculi and heart failure after catheterization. Methods: This is a clinical comparative study. Sixty patients with ureteral calculi complicated with heart failure and urosepsis were admitted at Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University from January 2021 to March 2023 randomly split into control and experimental group(n=30). Based on conventional treatment after indwelling the DJ tube, the experimental group was treated with CBP therapy. The control group dealt with conventional anti-inflammatory, oxygen inhalation and other treatments only. Compared and analyzed in terms of alterations in blood inflammatory factors, cardiac function, BNP prior to and after therapy, blood pressure, blood WBC recovery time, and so on. Results: TNF-a, CRP, and PCT levels in the control and experimental groups were substantially more prominent than the average reference value prior to treatment. They decreased considerably at distinct time points after therapy, with substantial distinctions (p< 0.05). A more meaningful decrease was noticed in the experimental group in comparison with the control group (p< 0.05). BNP and cardiac function were improved in both groups prior to and after therapy, and the amelioration of indexes in the experimental group was more substantial than that in the control group after therapy, with statistically considerable distinctions. The improvement time in experimental group was earlier than in the control group, with statistically substantial differences. Conclusion: Patients with urosepsis complicated with heart failure after indwelling DJ tube have their inflammatory factors improved significantly, with more thorough excretion by using conventional treatment combined with CBP therapy.

The efficacy and safety of continuous blood purification in neonates with septic shock and acute kidney injury: a two-center retrospective study.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of continuous blood purification (CBP) in neonates with septic shock and acute kidney injury (AKI). This retrospective study was conducted at two tertiary care children's hospitals between January 2015 and May 2022. A total of 26 neonates with septic shock and AKI were included in this study, with a mortality rate of 50%. Fourteen neonates (53.8%) received continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration, and 12 (46.2%) received continuous veno-venous hemofiltration. Compared with the indices before CBP, urine output increased 12 h after CBP initiation (P = 0.003) and serum creatinine decreased (P = 0.019). After 24 h of CBP, blood urea nitrogen had decreased (P = 0.006) and mean arterial pressure had increased (P = 0.007). At the end of CBP, the vasoactive-inotropic score and blood lactate were decreased (P = 0.035 and 0.038, respectively) and PH was increased (P = 0.015). Thrombocytopenia was the most common complication of CBP.  Conclusion: CBP can efficiently maintain hemodynamic stability, improve renal function, and has good safety in neonates with septic shock and AKI. However, the mortality rate remains high, and whether CBP improves the prognosis of neonates with septic shock and AKI remains unclear. What is Known: • Over 50% of children with septic shock have severe AKI, of which 21.6% required CBP. • The clinical application of CBP in septic shock has attracted increasing attention. What is New: • CBP can efficiently maintain hemodynamic stability, improve renal function, and has good safety in neonates with septic shock and AKI. • The mortality rate in neonates with septic shock and AKI receiving CBP remains high.

Continuous blood purification in patients with pheochromocytoma crisis: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Pheochromocytoma crisis accompanied by multi-organ failure necessitates prompt and comprehensive interventions, including VA-ECMO, CRRT, and others. Successful laparoscopic tumor resection promotes favorable outcomes and recovery. Abstract: Pheochromocytoma crisis is commonly associated with high mortality, high surgical risk, and rapidly fatal complications. This article presented successful treatments and nursing experiences in a patient with pheochromocytoma who developed cardiogenic shock and multiple organ failure. We report a case study of a 32-year-old female patient who experienced pheochromocytoma crisis accompanied by multiple organ failure. Initial assessment of bedside echocardiography revealed an extremely low left ventricular ejection fraction of 8%. The patient was promptly resuscitated though tracheal intubation and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO), in conjunction with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, and other pharmacological interventions to manage blood pressure and heart rate. These interventions resulted in a remarkable increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction of 67%. However, the patient subsequently developed severe sepsis, which may have been caused by the intubation procedure, necessitating the discontinuation of VA-ECMO while maintaining CRRT. Close monitoring of plasma catecholamine metabolite level, hemodynamic index, inflammatory marker, liver and kidney functions, and electrolytes during CRRT support allows for evaluating the efficacy of these measures and assessing the impact of CRRT on pheochromocytoma crisis. Eventually, the patient successfully underwent laparoscopic resection of a large pheochromocytoma, leading to favorable prognosis and a successful recovery. Continuous blood purification therapy can effectively eliminate catecholamines and their byproducts from the plasma, stabilize hemodynamics, improve heart, liver, and kidney functions, significantly reduce inflammatory cytokine levels significantly, and extend the surgical window for patients.

Analysis of the extracorporeal anticoagulation effect of modified citrate infusion during continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients.

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the anticoagulation effect of different local infusion methods of citrate underwent continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in critically ill patients. METHODS: The study adopted a single-centre retrospective design. Critically ill patients were divided into conventional group and modified group based on the infusion methods of citrate. RESULTS: The modified group had a longer mean treatment time (67.67 ± 18.69 hours vs. 52.11 ± 24.26 hours, p = 0.007), a lower transmembrane pressure (147.77 ± 66.85 cm H2 O vs. 200.63 ± 118.66 cm H2 O, p = 0.038), fewer citrate bag replacements (1.43 ± 0.50 times vs. 10.60 ± 3.19 times, p < 0.001), and more steady ionized calcium at the venous end (0.35 ± 0.06 mmol/L vs. 0.40 ± 0.05 mmol/L, p = 0.006) compared to the conventional group patients, with statistically significant differences. The incidences of citrate accumulation and tubing coagulation were marginally lower in the modified group. CONCLUSION: The modified local citrate infusion method can prolong treatment time, while reducing both the nursing workload and the occurrence of citrate accumulation.

Research progress on continuous blood purification in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis / 中国医师杂志

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a common gastrointestinal disease, often accompanied by systemic inflammatory reactions and organ dysfunction. SAP has an acute onset, severe condition, rapid progression, and poor prognosis. The development of SAP is closely related to the excessive release of inflammatory factors. In the comprehensive treatment of SAP, continuous blood purification (CBP) can clear inflammatory mediators, improve the stability of Internal environment, improve organ function, reduce blood lipids, regulate immunity, and significantly improve the condition of SAP patients. It is an important means of treating SAP. This article reviews the research progress of CBP in the treatment of SAP.

A comparative study of the effects of citrate and heparin anticoagulation on coagulation function and efficacy in children with septic shock undergoing continuous blood purification / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective:To compare the effects of citrate and heparin anticoagulation on coagulation function and efficacy in children with septic shock undergoing continuous blood purification (CBP), and to provide guidance for CBP anticoagulation in children with septic shock.Methods:A case control study was conducted. Thirty-seven children with septic shock admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University from July 2019 to September 2022 were enrolled as the research subjects. The patients were divided into citrate local anticoagulation group and heparin systemic anticoagulation group according to different anticoagulation methods. The baseline data, the level of coagulation indicators [prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (Fib), D-dimer] before treatment and 1 day after weaning from CBP, serum inflammatory mediators [interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), hypersensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), procalcitonin (PCT)], bleeding complications during CBP and 7-day mortality were collected.Results:A total of 37 cases were enrolled finally, including 17 cases with citric acid local anticoagulation and 20 cases with heparin systemic anticoagulation. There was no statistically significant difference in general data such as gender, age, and body weight of children between the two groups. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline levels of coagulation indicators and inflammatory mediators before treatment of children between the two groups. One day after weaning from CBP, both groups showed varying degrees of improvement in coagulation indicators compared with those before treatment. Compared with before treatment, the PT of the heparin systemic anticoagulation group was significantly shortened after 1 day of weaning (s: 11.82±2.05 vs. 13.64±2.54), APTT and TT were significantly prolonged [APTT (s): 51.54±12.69 vs. 35.53±10.79, TT (s): 21.95±4.74 vs. 19.30±3.33], D-dimer level was significantly reduced (mg/L: 1.92±1.58 vs. 4.94±3.94), with statistically significant differences (all P < 0.05). While in the citrate local anticoagulation group, only APTT was significantly prolonged after treatment compared with that before treatment (s: 49.28±10.32 vs. 34.34±10.32, P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in other coagulation indicators compared with before treatment. Compared with the citric acid local anticoagulation group, the PT of the heparin systemic anticoagulation group was significantly shortened after treatment (s: 11.82±2.05 vs. 13.61±3.05, P < 0.05), and the D-dimer level was significantly reduced (mg/L: 1.92±1.58 vs. 3.77±2.38, P < 0.01). The levels of inflammatory mediators in both groups were significantly reduced 1 day after CBP weaning compared with those before treatment [citric acid local anticoagulation group: hs-CRP (mg/L) was 12.53±5.44 vs. 22.65±7.27, PCT (μg/L) was 1.86±1.20 vs. 3.30±2.34, IL-6 (ng/L) was 148.48±34.83 vs. 202.32±48.62, TNF-α (ng/L) was 21.38±7.71 vs. 55.14±15.07; heparin systemic anticoagulation group: hs-CRP (mg/L) was 11.82±4.93 vs. 21.62±8.35, PCT (μg/L) was 1.90±1.08 vs. 3.18±1.97, IL-6 (ng/L) was 143.81±33.41 vs. 194.02±46.89, TNF-α (ng/L) was 22.44±8.17 vs. 56.17±16.92, all P < 0.05]. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (all P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in bleeding complication during CBP and 7-day mortality in children between the citrate local anticoagulation group and the heparin systemic anticoagulation group (5.9% vs. 30.0%, 17.6% vs. 20.0%, both P > 0.05). Conclusions:Heparin for systemic anticoagulation and regional citrate anticoagulation can significantly reduce the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP and PCT in children with septic shock, and relieve inflammatory storm. Compared with citric acid local anticoagulation, heparin systemic anticoagulation can shorten the PT and reduce the level of D-dimer in children with septic shock, which may benefit in the prevention and treatment of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Value of bedside high-flow continuous blood purificationcombined with Xuebijing in the treatment of severe sepsis / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of bedside high-flow continuous blood purification (CBP) combined with Xuebijing in the treatment of severe sepsis (SS) and the influence on the patient′s coagulation-fibrinolysis index, immunity index and expression of peripheral blood Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4).Methods:Ninety-three patients with SS who were admitted and treated in the Lianyungang First People′s Hospitalfrom January 2017 to October 2019 were selected. They were divided into the combined group (51 cases, treatment with bedside high-flow CBP and Xuebijing injection based on bundle therapy) and the control group (42 cases, treatment with Xuebijing injection based on bundle therapy). The changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis index, immunity index, biochemical index such as TLR4 before treatment and after 1 week of treatment were compared between the two groups. The incidences of complications in both groups were statistically analyzed, and the discharge time from ICU, mechanical ventilation time and 28-day mortality were recorded.Results:After 1 week of treatment, the levels of prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in the two groups were shortened, D-dimer (D-D) and fibrinogen (FIB) were decreased ( P<0.05); and the levels of PT and APTT in the combined group were shorter than those in the control group, the levels of DD and FIB were lower than those in the control group, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). After 1 week of treatment, the levels of CD 4+ and CD 4+/CD 8+ ratio in both groups were increased ( P<0.05), and the levels of CD 4+ and CD 4+/CD 8+ ratio in the combined group were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). After 1 week of treatment, the levels of TLR4, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), white blood cell count (WBC), blood lactate (Lac), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) in both groups were decreased ( P<0.05), meanwhile, the above indexes in the combined group were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The incidence of multiple organ failure and the 28-day mortality rate in the combined group were lower than those in the control group: 3.92%(2/51) vs. 19.05%(8/42), 13.73%(7/51) vs. 30.95%(13/42), there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The discharge time from ICU and mechanical ventilation time in the combined group were shorter than those in the control group: (12.35 ± 2.14) d vs. (14.17 ± 3.36) d, (7.12 ± 2.23) d vs. (8.51 ± 2.39) d, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Bedside high-flow CBP combined with Xuebijing injection in the treatment of SS can improve the patient′s condition, regulate the balance of coagulation and fibrinolysis, avoide the activation of coagulation, inhibite inflammatory response, reduce the expression of TLR4 in peripheral blood, improve immune function, protecte kidney function and promotethe patient′s recovery.

Early continuous blood purification affects TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in patients with severe acute pancreatitis via inhibiting TLR4 signaling pathway.

To exploit whether early continuous blood purification (CBP) inhibits the Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in the peripheral blood of patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and whether it affects the abundance of inflammatory factors; 130 SAP patients were randomly selected and divided into Groups B and C. Both groups received conventional treatment. Among them, Group C was given early CBP treatment. Another 60 healthy cases in physical examination at the same time were selected as Group A. The abundances of TLR4 and inflammatory factors were detected before and after treatment. Compared with Group B, (1) the symptoms in Group C improved more markedly; (2) protein contents of TLR4 and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in Group C diminished more signally; (3) the abundances of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), cytokine interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) in Group C decreased (p < 0.05); and (4) the abundance of TLR4 in Group C was positively correlated with those of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 after treatment (all p < 0.001). Early CBP inhibits TLR4 signaling pathway in SAP patients and attenuates the abundance of inflammatory factors to a certain extent, which may provide a new clinical treatment strategy for SAP.

The efficacy of continuous blood purification in the treatment of severe heart failure combined with renal failure / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical value of continuous blood purification(CBP) in patients with severe heart failure combined with renal failure and its effect on serum p66Shc protein, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor 1 (sFlt-1), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1).Methods:Ninety-seven patients with severe heart failure combined with renal failure admitted to the Chaoyang Central Hospital from March 2017 to October 2019 were enrolled and they were divided into the control group (48 cases) and the observation group (49 cases) according to the random number table method. The control group was treated with intermittent hemodialysis (IHD), while the observation group was treated with CBP. Changes of the efficacy, the renal function indexes, cardiac function indexes, p66Shc protein, sFlt-1, TIMP-1 before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. The occurrence of adverse reactions were recorded.Results:The total effective rate in the observation group was better than thatin the control group: 79.59% (39/49) vs. 60.42% (29/48), χ 2 = 4.25, P<0.05. After treated for 1 week, the levels of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum phosphorus, blood uric acid and β2 microglobulinin the observation group were lower than those in the control group: (12.63 ± 3.14) mmol/L vs. (16.23 ± 4.74) mmol/L, (175.52 ± 39.57) μmol/L vs. (240.15 ± 50.18) μmol/L, (1.20 ± 0.23) mmol/L vs. (1.37 ± 0.31) mmol/L, (265.15 ± 34.79) μmol/L vs.(297.52 ± 50.07) μmol/L, (28.75 ± 5.14) mg/L vs. (33.52 ± 7.39) mg/L, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The levels of left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac output and stroke volume in the observation group were higher than those in the control group: (53.63 ± 7.96)% vs. (49.52 ± 5.14)%, (58.45 ± 15.23) ml vs. (49.58 ± 9.52) ml, (4.59 ± 0.52) L/min vs. (4.01 ± 0.23) L/min, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The levels of p66Shc, sFlt-1, TIMP-1 in the observation group were lower than thosein the control group: 1.11 ± 0.36 vs. 1.45 ± 0.42, (15.76 ± 4.34) μg/L vs. (19.87 ± 5.66) μg/L, (59.14 ± 10.57) μg/L vs. (65.39 ± 9.45) μg/L, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The total adverse reaction rate in the observation group was lower than that in the observation group: 14.29% (7/49) vs. 31.25% (15/48), χ2 = 3.98, P<0.05. Conclusions:CBP therapy for patients with severe heart failure combined with renal failure has better efficacy than IHD, and can improve the patient′s cardiac and kidney function, reduce the levels of p66Shc protein, sFlt-1 and TIMP-1, reduce adverse reactions. It is safe and feasible.

Application strategies of continuous blood purification in pediatric patients with cerebral edema / 中国小儿急救医学

Continuous blood purification(CBP)has been extensively used in pediatric critical care and proven effective in pediatric patients with cerebral edema.However, as a causative factor of changes in blood pressure, blood volume, plasma osmotic pressure, and drug metabolism, CBP may have reduced efficacy and even exacerbate the cerebral edema when pediatric patients are provided with inadequate clinical evaluation and intervention or inappropriate settings of treatment parameters.This paper presented a literature review on the application strategies of CBP as a treatment of pediatric patients with cerebral edema to provide a reference for clinical practice.

Meta analysis and systematic review of influencing factors on unplanned shutdown of continuous blood purification / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To systematically evaluate the influencing factors on unplanned shutdown of continuous blood purification, and to provide reference basis for the prevention of unplanned shutdown.Methods:The literatures related to the influencing factors of unplanned shutdown of continuous blood purification in CNKI, Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Full-text Database, PubMed and Web of Science were searched.The retrieval time of Chinese database was from the establishment of the database to March 2021.English databases were searched from March 2016 to March 2021.Literature selection, quality evaluation and data extraction were independently conducted by two researchers, and Meta-analysis was performed by Stata 14.0 software.Results:A total of 11 studies were included, including 3 031 cases of continuous blood purification treatment and 1 412 cases of unplanned discontinuation.The combined OR value and 95% CI of all influencing factors were as follows: treatment mode 2.22 (1.06-4.62), blood flow velocity 0.91 (0.776-1.09), agitation 4.54 (2.33-8.86), ventilator 2.67 (1.63-4.38), transfusing blood products and fat milk 1.07 (0.34-3.36), one-time catheter success 0.26 (0.05-1.42), catheterization site (femoral vein vs.jugular vein) 2.24 (0.83-6.02). Conclusion:Unplanned deplaning is influenced by many factors.Treatment mode, agitation and ventilator use are the risk factors for unplanned deplaning.There is no correlation between blood flow velocity, transfusing blood products and fat milk, one-time catheterization success, catheterization site and unplanned deplaning.

Nursing effect of continuous blood purification therapy in treatment of severe sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the nursing effect of continuous blood purification therapy in the treatment of severe sepsis patients. METHODS: A total of 142 patients with severe sepsis in our hospital were divided into two groups, 70 patients in the experimental group who received an optimize nursing plan, while 72 patients in the control group were given routine nursing intervention. The SF-36 questionnaire, nursing satisfaction and serious adverse events and complications were collected. RESULTS: The nursing intervention effect of the two groups after intervention were improved before intervention (P<0.05), and the patient's quality of life between the two groups (SF-36 questionnaire) in the experimental group was increased compared to that of the control group after nursing intervention. The nursing satisfaction scores of the experimental group were obviously improved after receiving optimize nursing intervention, and the scores in the experimental group were much higher than in the control group after receiving the intervention, namely (P<0.05). Moreover, the occurrence of serious adverse events and complications in the experimental group was decreased compared to that in the control group, especially the occurrence of acid base imbalance (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The patients with severe sepsis who received continuous blood purification therapy and optimized nursing intervention had shortened ICU hospitalization time, reduced mortality and complication rates, and improved nursing satisfaction and quality of life.

Continuous Blood purification on Influenza-Associated Neurological Disease in children: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Due to lack of proven therapies, we evaluated the effect of CBP on Influenza-Associated Neurological Disease in children. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective, cohort study was conducted in Luoyang, Henan province, China from January 2018 to January 2020. Children (<18 years) with influenza-associated neurological disease were enrolled in the study. Children with indications for CBP and parental consent received CBP (Continuous Blood purification), while others received maximal intensive care treatment because of the absence of parental consent. The outcomes of the CBP and non-CBP groups were compared. Categorical variables were presented as percentage and compared by Chi-square test. Continuous variables were expressed as median (interquartile ranges) and compared with non-parametric independent sample test. Statistical analyses were carried out by SPSS (version 26.0) and p < 0.05 (2 tailed) was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: 30 children with influenza-associated neurological disease were recruited to the study. 18 received CBP and the other 12 received maximal intensive care. There were no differences between CBP and non-CBP children in age, sex, body weight, type of influenza virus, neurological complications, Glasgow score, PIM-2 score and PCIS at admission (p > 0.05). The inflammatory factors (CRP, PCT and IL-6) of 30 cases were tested at admission and after 3 days of admission. In the CBP group, there was a significant decrease in IL-6 levels at 3 days of admission (p = 0.003) and a decrease in CRP and PCT levels, but no significant difference (p > 0.05). In the non-CBP group, there were no significant difference on levels of CRP, PCT and IL-6 at admission and 3-day of admission (p > 0.05). The 28-day mortality was significantly lower in the CBP group compared with the non-CBP group (11.11% vs. 50%, p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: CBP definitely reduces IL-6 levels significantly. We did find that the survival rate of patients in the CBP group was improved. But we don't know if there is a relationship between the reduction of IL-6 levels and the survival rate. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx (ChiCTR2000031754).

Application of extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal combined with continuous blood purification therapy in ARDS with hypercapnia in patients with critical COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a new type of epidemic pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The population is generally susceptible to COVID-19, which mainly causes lung injury. Some cases may develop severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Currently, ARDS treatment is mainly mechanical ventilation, but mechanical ventilation often causes ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) accompanied by hypercapnia in 14% of patients. Extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) can remove carbon dioxide from the blood of patients with ARDS, correct the respiratory acidosis, reduce the tidal volume and airway pressure, and reduce the incidence of VILI. CASE REPORT: Two patients with critical COVID-19 combined with multiple organ failure undertook mechanical ventilation and suffered from hypercapnia. ECCO2R, combined with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), was conducted concomitantly. In both cases (No. 1 and 2), the tidal volume and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were down-regulated before the treatment and at 1.5 hours, one day, three days, five days, eight days, and ten days after the treatment, together with a noticeable decrease in PCO2 and clear increase in PO2, while FiO2 decreased to approximately 40%. In case No 2, compared with the condition before treatment, the PCO2 decreased significantly with down-regulation in the tidal volume and PEEP and improvement in the pulmonary edema and ARDS after the treatment. CONCLUSION: ECCO2R combined with continuous blood purification therapy in patients with COVID-19 who are criti-cally ill and have ARDS and hypercapnia might gain both time and opportunity in the treatment, down-regulate the ventilator parameters, reduce the incidence of VILI and achieve favorable therapeutic outcomes.

The Use of Continuous Blood Purification for the Treatment of Malignant Hyperthermia in an Infant.

BACKGROUND: Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare and potentially life-threatening pharmacogenetic disorder encountered during general anesthesia, with the incidence higher in children than in adults. Dantrolene is the specific antagonist of MH, but it is not readily available in China, thus developing alternative treatment protocols is of great practical importance. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, the authors report a two-month-old infant who underwent holmium laser epiglottis retrofitting through a bronchoscope, but developed limb muscular stiffness, tachypnea, tachycardia, and hyperthermia after sevoflurane exposure. After the diagnosis of MH, corresponding supportive treatment was implemented. Because there was no dantrolene available, continuous blood purification and mechanical ventilation were performed. A few days later, the boy recovered without any complications. CONCLUSION: Based on the authors' successful clinical practice, the authors consider continuous blood purification as a reliable treatment for MH. But its feasibility still needs to be clarified after multicenter clinical observations.

Clinical analysis of continuous blood purification in children with severe adenovirus preumonia / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To discuss the role of continuous blood purification (CBP) therapy in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia.Methods:A total of 114 children with severe adenovirus pneumonia admitted to the Department of PICU at Children′s Hospital of Hunan Province from June 2018 to July 2019 were selected as the research objects.According to whether treated with CBP, they were divided into CBP group and control group.The following indicators during the process of treatment were compared between two groups, including respiratory mechanics indicators[respiratory index(PaO 2/FiO 2), dynamic lung compliance(Cdyn)]; hemodynamic indicators(heart rate and mean arterial pressure); changes in levels of inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and the prognosis 28 days after admission. Results:The respiratory mechanics index, serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels of two groups after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment, and the serum IL-10 level was significantly higher than that of this group before treatment.There were statistical differences in the CBP group before and after treatment, while there was no statistical difference in control group.In the CBP group, the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels after treatment were significantly lower than those of the control group( P<0.05), and the serum IL-10 level was significantly higher than that of the control group( P<0.05). The 28-day mortality rate of patients in CBP group was 8.6%(3/35), which was significantly lower than 13.9%(11/79) of control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:CBP could improve the main respiratory mechanical indexes of adenovirus pneumonia and decrease the level of inflammatory cytokines.

Effect of plasma exchange and continuous blood purification on multiple organ dysfunction in children with bee sting poisoning / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of plasma exchange (PE) and continuous blood purification(CRRT) on children with bee sting poisoning and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).Methods:From January 2016 to September 2019, 37 children aged 9 months to 11 years with bee sting and MODS were treated with dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg or methylprednisolone 3 mg-5 mg/kg anti allergic and anti-inflammatory and organ support. Among them, 26 cases were treated with plasma exchange and continuous blood purification (treatment group), and the rest 11 cases were only given conventional treatment, but did not receive blood purification treatment (control group).The critical illness score, liver and kidney functions, myolysis, pulmonary hemorrhage/pulmonary edema, coagulation disorders, shock, hemolysis, gastrointestinal failure and other organ damage, ICU stay time, mechanical ventilation time, organ dysfunction recovery time and clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. In the treatment group, 18 cases started blood purification before 12 h after MODS (early treatment group) and 8 cases started blood purification after 12 h (delayed treatment group).Results:There was no significant difference in age, sex, child critical illness score, onset time and organ function damage between the treatment and control groups ( P>0.05). The cure rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group [(25/26 (96.15%) vs 8/11 (72.73%), P=0.036]. There was no significant difference in ICU stay between the control group and the treatment group [(10.03±7.74) d vs (12.01±6.95) d, P>0.05]. Among the 25 survivors in the treatment group, one patient had mild renal function damage and one patient had multiple necrosis of skin, subcutaneous and muscle tissue. Compared with 4 of the 8 survivors in the control group, the residual organ function damage in the treatment group was significantly less than that in the control group [(2/25 (8.00%) vs 4/8 (50.00%), P=0.031)].The recovery of liver function, renal function, myolysis and hemolysis in the treatment group was faster than those in the control group (all P < 0.05). The initiation of blood purification within 12 h after the occurrence of MODS required fewer times of plasma exchange and shorter CRRT time, ICU stay and ventilator time (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:In children with bee sting combined with MODS, plasma exchange and continuous blood purification can achieve better therapeutic effect and better clinical outcome.

Endovascular treatment of aortic saddle embolism through percutaneous mechanical Thrombectomy via Straub Rotarex catheter.

BACKGROUND: To summarize our experience of endovascular treatment for abdominal aorta saddle embolism (ASE) through percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT). METHODS: Clinical data of three ASE patients treated with an endovascular approach using percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: After PMT, blood flow of limbs was restored in all of the three patients. However, two patients died from sudden cardiac arrest caused by hyperkalemia several hours after the procedure. The other one patient survived through continuous renal replacement therapy, which was initialized shortly after the surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment through PMT can quickly restore blood flow in the ASE patients. Blood purification through renal replacement therapy is crucial to reduce mortality after restoring blood flow of the limbs.

Differential clinical benefits of continuous blood purification treatment in critically ill patients with variable APACHE II scores.

The present study aimed to assess whether the Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score may be used to predict whether critically ill patients benefit from continuous blood purification (CBP) treatment. A total of 115 critically ill patients were retrospectively reviewed and grouped according to their baseline APACHE II scores. Each group was further divided into 2 groups based on whether they received CBP or not. At 72 h after CBP treatment, clinical indicators comprising the plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, as well as endotoxin and procalcitonin (PCT), and severity scores (APACHE II, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and systemic inflammatory response syndrome), were analyzed in all patients. It was observed that while CBP slightly reduced the severity scores in all patients, it significantly improved those in patients with an APACHE II score of 20-29 (P<0.05). Similarly, the plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, endotoxin and PCT were significantly lower in patients receiving CBP than in those without CBP when the APACHE II score was 20-29 (P<0.05). Furthermore, CBP treatment significantly decreased the fatality rate and length of stay at the intensive care unit (ICU) for critically ill patients with an APACHE II score of 20-29 (P<0.05). In conclusion, CBP significantly decreases the inflammatory response, shortens the length of stay at the ICU and improves the prognosis for critically ill patients with an APACHE II score of 20-29 points. This observation suggests that the APACHE II score is an important clinical indicator to determine the potential benefit of CBP therapy in critically ill patients.