Clinical effects of direct hemoperfusion using a polymyxin-B immobilized column in solid organ transplanted patients with signs of severe sepsis and septic shock. A pilot study.

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

Modifications of intracranial pressure after molecular adsorbent recirculating system treatment in patients with acute liver failure: case reports.

Unlabelled: Cerebral dysfunction may be fatal in patients with acute liver failure (ALF); intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring may be mandatory to direct measures to prevent further cerebral edema. Recently the introduction of dialysis with the molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) has improved the outcomes among patients with ALF. The aim of this study was to evaluate ICP changes after MARS treatment among patients with ALF.

Incidence of fungal infections in a solid organ recipients dedicated intensive care unit.

Unlabelled: Invasive fungal infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for patients undergoing solid organ transplantation. Our aim was to evaluate the incidence of invasive fungal infections in solid organ recipients within a dedicated intensive care unit (ICU).

Materials And Methods: From May 2002 to May 2005, 278 patients undergoing solid organ transplantation (105 liver, 142 kidney, 20 lung, 2 combined liver-kidney, 9 combined pancreas-kidney) were admitted to our posttransplant intensive care unit.

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.

Fenoldopam and gastric tonometry during orthotopic liver transplantation.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of continuous infusion of fenoldopam on splanchnic perfusion in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients.

Patients And Methods: We enrolled 40 patients of mean age 57+/-16 years who underwent (OLT). They were randomly divided into two double blinded groups; continuous fenoldopam (0.