[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.