Filter run time in CVVH: pre- versus post-dilution and nadroparin versus regional heparin-protamine anticoagulation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To study the effect of different modes of continuous veno-venous haemofiltration (CVVH) on filter run time (FRT). METHODS: We studied, in two consecutive prospective, randomised and crossover studies, 16 and 15 patients with acute renal failure during critical illness. Study A compared pre- versus post-dilution, and study B compared regional anticoagulation with heparin (pre-filter) and protamine (post-filter) (HP) versus nadroparin (NP) pre-filter. All CVVH sessions were standardised. Analyses were by Wilcoxon rank sum tests. RESULTS: Study A: During pre-dilution the median FRT was 45.7 vs. 16.1 h in post-dilution CVVH (p = 0.005). The median creatinine clearance during pre-dilution was 33 vs. 45 ml/min in post-dilution (p = 0.001). Study B: During NP, median FRT was 39.5 vs. 12.3 h during HP CVVH (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-dilution CVVH results in the greatest FRT but a lower plasma creatinine clearance compared to post-dilution. Regional anticoagulation with heparin-protamine resulted in a significantly shorter FRT compared to systemic NP anticoagulation.     

无肝素抗凝技术在连续性静脉-静脉血液滤过中的应用

目的对连续性静脉-静脉血液滤过治疗过程中无肝素抗凝技术进行综合评价。方法2005年1月至4月对四川大学华西医院的42例危重患者行连续性静脉-静脉血液滤过(CVVH)治疗,其中高危出血患者19例采用无肝素技术抗凝,设为观察组;23例采用低分子肝素抗凝,设为对照组(其中3例因故改用无肝素抗凝)。两组置换液速度均为3000mL/h,持续时间12h/d,碳酸氢盐置换液前稀释方式输入。计算溶质下降率,治疗前后检测电解质、酸碱指标、凝血指标;记录心率、平均动脉压、跨膜压及滤器寿命。结果两组治疗后血尿素氮、肌酐均显著下降,但组间比较溶质下降率差异并无显著性意义(P>0.05),对照组活化部分凝血时间(APTT)显著延长(P<0.05)。观察组跨膜压在7h明显升高,而对照组在9h明显升高;观察组滤器的平均寿命短于对照组(P<0.05)。结论CVVH中应用无肝素抗凝技术同样高效、稳定、安全,对于高危出血患者,是保障CVVH治疗持续进行的重要措施。     

在严重出血倾向重危患者应用枸橼酸抗凝进行连续性静脉-静脉血液滤过治疗

目的：采用枸橼酸抗凝的连续性静脉－静脉血液滤过（CVVH）治疗伴出血倾向的重危患者，观察不同临床情况下枸橼酸抗凝的疗效及安全性。方法：40例伴有出血倾向患者行CVVH治疗，采用枸橼酸抗凝。其中10例患者伴有明显肝功能损害，10例患者伴有低氧血症，其余20例患者不伴有以上两种情况。监测治疗中动脉血气，血清离子钙水平及全血活化凝血时间（WBACT）变化。结果：所有患者CVVH治疗中滤器前WBACT与治疗前相比无显著差异，而滤器后WBACT则显著延长（P＜0．05）。有肝功能损害患者治疗前存在明显代谢性酸中毒，治疗中逐步纠正；持续低氧血症患者CVVH治疗中酸中毒进行性加重；而不伴上述两种情况的患者治疗前无明显代谢性酸中毒，治疗中酸碱状况变化不明显。除伴低氧血症患者治疗中滤器前血清离子钙出现进行性下降外，其余患者治疗中部保持在正常范围。结论：存在肝功能异常患者行CVVH治疗时应用枸橼酸抗凝并无明显低钙血症或酸中毒等代谢并发症，而存在低氧血症患者应用枸橼酸抗凝则可能出现进行性加重酸中毒及低离子钙血症。     

Regional Citrate Anticoagulation for RRTs in Critically Ill Patients with AKI

Hemorrhagic complications have been reported in up to 30% of critically ill patients with AKI undergoing RRT with systemic anticoagulation. Because bleeding is associated with significantly increased mortality risk, strategies aimed at reducing hemorrhagic complications while maintaining extracorporeal circulation should be implemented. Among the alternatives to systemic anticoagulation, regional citrate anticoagulation has been shown to prolong circuit life while reducing the incidence of hemorrhagic complications and lowering transfusion needs. For these reasons, the recently published Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes Clinical Practice Guidelines for Acute Kidney Injury have recommended regional citrate anticoagulation as the preferred anticoagulation modality for continuous RRT in critically ill patients in whom it is not contraindicated. However, the use of regional citrate anticoagulation is still limited because of concerns related to the risk of metabolic complications, the complexity of the proposed protocols, and the need for customized solutions. The introduction of simplified anticoagulation protocols based on citrate and the development of dialysis monitors with integrated infusion systems and dedicated software could lead to the wider use of regional citrate anticoagulation in upcoming years.     

Regional Citrate Anticoagulation for High Volume Continuous Venovenous Hemodialysis in Surgical Patients With High Bleeding Risk

Acute kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy occurs in up to 10% of all intensive care unit patients. Those who are hemodynamically unstable are often treated with continuous renal replacement therapy requiring continuous anticoagulation of the extracorporeal circuit. This is usually achieved by infusion of unfractionated heparin, which subsequently increases the risk of bleeding. To avoid systemic anticoagulation for continuous renal replacement therapy, regional anticoagulation with citrate has been introduced. We studied safety and efficacy of regional citrate anticoagulation for continuous venovenous hemodialysis in surgical patients requiring high dialysis doses. This was an observational prospective study in a 40‐bed surgical intensive care unit at a university hospital. During a 12‐month study period, all consecutive critically ill patients with high risk of bleeding requiring continuous renal replacement therapy continuous renal replacement therapy were treated with citrate anticoagulation for continuous venovenous hemodialysis. Prescribed dialysis dose was 45 mL/kg per h with a 10% increase for expected downtime. We studied filter lifetime, delivered dialysis dose, control of acid–base status, bleeding episodes, and adverse effects, that is, citrate intolerance. The total number of filters analyzed in 75 patients was 100. Mean (± standard deviation) filter running time was 78 ± 25 h. Fifty‐one circuits had to be renewed because of extended filter running time (96 ± 18 h), 33 discontinued for reasons not related to renal replacement therapy (62 ± 19 h), and 13 due to filter clotting (58 ± 18 h). The mean dialysis dose during the first 72 h was 49 ± 14 mL/kg per h. Overall, acid–base status after 72 h was well controlled in 62% of patients, metabolic alkalosis (pH > 7.45) occurred in 29%, and metabolic acidosis (pH < 7.35) in 9%. In one patient, treatment was stopped because of citrate accumulation. Citrate intoxication or overt bleeding episodes were not observed. Regional citrate anticoagulation for continuous venovenous hemodialysis is a safe and effective method to deliver a high dialysis dose in critically ill patients with a high risk of bleeding. Filter patency was excellent, acid–base status was well controlled, and clinically relevant adverse effects were not observed. Therefore, citrate anticoagulated continuous venovenous hemodialysis is a useful treatment option for patients with acute kidney injury requiring high dialysis doses and at risk of bleeding.     

Comparison of Citrate Anticoagulation During Plasma Exchange With Different Replacement Solutions

The aim of our retrospective study was to compare the application of regional citrate anticoagulation and citrate‐related side‐effects in plasma exchange (PE) with different replacement solutions. We included 35 patients treated with PE with regional citrate anticoagulation and divided them into three groups according to the replacement solution used: human albumin (HA) group (40 PE treatments), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) group (86 PE treatments), or a combination of the two (63 PE treatments). The citrate anticoagulation parameters, ionized calcium and metabolic consequences of citrate were compared. The blood flow and citrate infusion rates were similar in all groups. To maintain comparable values of ionized calcium during PE, significantly more calcium was replaced in the combination group (7.6 ± 1.3 vs. 6.2 ± 2.7 mL/h, P < 0.001) and even more in the FFP group (10.8 ± 1.7 vs. 6.2 ± 2.7 mL/h, P < 0.001) as compared to the HA group. The pH increased significantly and comparably in all groups, but the increase in bicarbonate was significantly higher in the FFP group (4.4 ± 3.0 vs. 2.6 ± 2.1 mmol/L, P = 0.01). A short, heparin‐free hemodialysis session was performed after the PE treatment, because of significant metabolic alkalosis (mainly with pH ≥ 7.5), significantly more often in the FFP group (14/86 PE, P < 0.01) as compared to the HA group (0/40), and only rarely in the combination group (2/63). To conclude, when FFP is used as a replacement solution during PE with citrate anticoagulation, significantly more calcium needs to be replaced and the increase in bicarbonate is greater during PE. The additional citrate contained in FFP, combined with frequent PE treatments, often causes significant metabolic alkalosis, which can be efficiently corrected with a short heparin‐free hemodialysis.     

局部枸橼酸抗凝在肝衰竭患者连续性肾脏替代治疗中的应用

体外抗凝是连续性肾脏替代治疗(CRRT)的一项关键技术,肝素曾是CRRT首选的抗凝剂,但由于出血风险高,临床使用受限。枸橼酸作为一种新型局部抗凝剂,近年来受到越来越多的关注和推荐,但对于肝衰竭患者的应用一直存在争议。通过阅读近年来国内外相关文献,就局部枸橼酸抗凝在肝衰竭患者中的代谢特点、监测方法及其在CRRT应用中的安全性进行综述。     

枸橼酸抗凝与普通肝素抗凝在脓毒症急性肾损伤患者血液滤过中的应用对比

目的：对比枸橼酸抗凝与普通肝素抗凝在脓毒症急性肾损伤患者血液滤过中的应用效果，以期得到更为有效的抗凝方案。方法：采用前瞻性研究方法，2012年12月至2015年12月选择在北京市昌平区医院MICU诊治的SAKI患者300例作为研究对象，根据随机平行对照组原则分为观察组与对照组各150例，两组都给予持续性血液滤过(CBP)治疗，对照组使用全身肝素抗凝，观察组使用枸橼酸抗凝抗凝，剂量都为10mg?kg-1，观察两组预后情况。结果：两组治疗后的BUN与Cr值都明显低于治疗前(P<0.05)，同时观察组治疗后的BUN与Cr值也明显低于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组与对照组治疗后的ACT值分别为117.30±13.49s和138.24±12.48s，而治疗前分别为114.29±10.59s和113.19±18.50s，观察组治疗后的ACT值明显少于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组有6例发生2级凝血；对照组有15例发生2级凝血，9例发生3级凝血，两组对比差异明显(P<0.05)。对照组的滤器寿命(25.90±7.66)h 明显低于观察组(37.80±5.72)h(P<0.05)。观察组出血发生率2.0%(3/150) 少于对照组14.0%(21/150)，28 d 病死率20.0%(30/150) 低于对照组38.00%(57/150)，对比差异明显(P<0.05)。结论：相对于普通肝素，枸橼酸抗凝在脓毒症急性肾损伤患者血液滤过中的应用能更有效发挥抗凝作用，能改善肾功能与显著延长滤器使用寿命，减少出血并发症，降低28 d 病死率，有很好的应用价值。     

Regional citrate anticoagulation in critically ill patients treated with plasma filtration and adsorption

BACKGROUND: In high-risk bleeding conditions conventional systemic anticoagulation with heparin is a contraindication to renal replacement therapy. We evaluate the feasibility and safety of regional citrate anticoagulation in high-risk bleeding conditions during coupled plasma filtration adsorption (CPFA). METHODS:Thirteen critically ill patients (9 severely burned, 4 polytraumas) with septic shock and acute renal failure treated with CPFA-CVVHD by using bicarbonate-based solutions (heparin-CPFA group, 58 sessions) or with CPFA-CVVHF using citrate (citrate-CPFA group, 36 sessions). RESULTS: Plasma flow and used cartridges showed no differences between the citrate-CPFA and heparin-CPFA groups, while lost clotted cartridges were significantly lower in the citrate-CPFA group. Blood ionized calcium (iCa2+), Ca2+ infusion, pH and bicarbonates remained constant during citrate-CPFA, with no difference between pre- and post-cartridge plasma citrate. A significant positive correlation between iCa2+ in blood and ultrafiltrate was present. CONCLUSIONS: These suits demonstrate the feasibility and safety of regional citrate anticoagulation in severely burned and polytrauma septic patients treated by CPFA.     

枸橼酸抗凝在持续缓慢低效血液透析中的疗效和安全性

目的 观察枸橼酸抗凝应用于持续缓慢低效血液透析(SLED)的安全性及有效性.方法 前瞻性观察四川大学华西医院2011年8月至2012年9月收治的45例急性肾损伤或终末期肾病患者.所有患者血管通路均采用颈/股静脉留置双腔导管,采用费森尤斯4008sARrTplus透析机进行SLED,治疗时间为8h.4％枸橼酸钠以130 ml/h由动脉端泵入,血流量150 ml/min,无钙透析液流量200 ml/min,10％葡萄糖酸钙以40 ml/h静脉端泵入.分别在0、2、5h测定枸橼酸浓度,并观察外周血及透析器后血清游离钙水平.结果 45例患者行SLED治疗162例次,除2例次患者分别在治疗4h及6h时出现1次透析器Ⅲ°凝血需更换透析管路外,余160例次(98.8％)SLED均顺利完成.0h枸橼酸浓度为(0.14 ±0.06) mmol/L,虽然2h及5h外周血枸橼酸浓度轻度升高,但两组间差异无明显统计学意义[(1.08±0.12) mmol/L比(1.11 ±0.17) mmol/L,P＞0.05].0、2、5h的外周血游离钙水平分别为(1.04±0.13)mmol/L、(1.07±0.23) mmol/L及(1.04±0.24) mmol/L,组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).2h及5h滤器后游离钙水平分别为(0.31±0.04) mmo1/L及(0.29±0.03) mmol/L.2h和5h的跨膜压分别为(104.5±17.8) mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)和(109.3±20.1)mm Hg,两组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).5h测定外周血凝血酶原时间及活化部分凝血活酶时间与治疗前比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).在SLED治疗过程中未出现出血、血小板减少、心律失常、高钠血症、代谢性碱中毒及低血压事件.结论 枸橼酸抗凝在SLED应用中安全有效,在保证有效的局部抗凝过程下不影响体内的凝血功能,为临床医生提供了一种新型的SLED抗凝方式.     

Influence of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration on the course of acute pancreatitis

AIM: To investigate whether continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) in different filtration rate to eliminate cytokines would result in different efficiency in acute pancreatitis, whether the saturation time of filter membrane was related to different filtration rate, and whether the onset time of CVVH could influence the survival of acute pancreatitis. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients were classified into four groups randomly. Group 1 underwent low-volume CVVH within 48 h of the onset of abdominal pain (early CVVH, n = 9). Group 2 received low-volume CVVH after 96 h of the onset of abdominal pain (late CVVH, n = 10). Group 3 underwent high-volume CVVH within 48 h of the onset of abdominal pain (early CVVH, n = 9). Group 4 received high-volume CVVH after 96 h of the onset of abdominal pain (late CVVH, n = 9). CWH was sustained for at least 72 h. Blood was taken before hemofiltration, and ultrafiltrate was collected at the start of CVVH and every 12 h during CVVH period for the purpose of measuring the concentrations of TNPα, IL-1β and IL-6. The concentrations of TNPα, IL-1β and IL-6 were measured by swine-specific ELISA. The Solartron 1 255 B frequency response analyzer (British) was used to observe the resistance of filter membrane. RESULTS: The survival rate had a significant difference (94.44% vs 68.42%, P<0.01) high-volume and low-volume CVVH patients. The survival rate had also a significant difference (88.89% vs 73.68%,P<0.05) between early and late CVVH patients. The hemodynamic deterioration (MAP, HR, CVP) was less severe in groups 4 and 1 than that in group 2, and in group 3 than in group 4. The adsorptive saturation time of filters membranes was 120-180 min if the filtration rate was 1 000-4 000 mL/h. After the first, second and third new hemofilters were changed, serum TNF-α concentrations had a negative correlation with resistance (r: -0.91, -0.89, and -0.86, respectively in group 1; -0.89, -0.85, and -0.76, respectively in group 2; -0.88, -0.92, and -0.82, respectively in group 3; -0.84, -0.87, and -0.79, respectively in group 4). The decreasing extent of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 was significantly different between group 3 and group 1 (TNF-α P<0.05, IL-1β P<0.05, IL-6 P<0.01), between group 4 and group 2 (TNF-α P<0.05, IL-1β P<0.05, IL-6 P<0.01), between group 1 and group 2 (TNP-α P<0.05, IL-1β P<0.05, IL-6 P<0.05), and between group 3 and group 4 (TNF-α P<0.01, IL-1β P<0.01, IL-6 P<0.05), respectively during CVVH period. The decreasing extent of TNF-α and IL-1β was also significantly different between survival patients and dead patients (TNF-α P<0.05, IL-1β P<0.05). In survival patients, serum concentration of TNF-α and IL-1β decreased more significantly than that in dead patients. CONCLUSION: High-volume and early CVVH improve hemodynamic deterioration and survival in acute pancreatitis patients. High-volume CVVH can eliminate cytokines more efficiently than low-volume CVVH. The survival rate is related to the decrease extent of TNF-α and IL-1β. The adsorptive saturation time of filter membranes are different under different filtration rate condition. The filter should be changed timely once filter membrane adsorption is saturated.     

Regional citrate anticoagulation: towards a first-choice treatment

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is the most widely used technique for the treatment of severe acute kidney injury in the critically ill. The need for prolonged anticoagulation is the most important drawback of CRRT and clinically important bleeding significantly increases the risk of death. Therefore, alternative anticoagulation methods should be more widely adopted. Among the potential alternatives to systemic heparin anticoagulation, regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) is the most promising. By reducing ionized calcium inside the extracorporeal circuit, citrate is able to block the coagulation cascade at different levels. Compared with unfractionated heparin, several studies reported better filter survival times and a marked reduction of transfusion rates with RCA. Despite the positive reports about the efficacy and safety of RCA, the use of this alternative method of anticoagulation appears to be relatively limited. Desirable future improvements in RCA should be focused on simplifying protocols, minimizing the need for calcium and magnesium supplementation, increasing the flexibility of buffer balance, and introducing customized dialysis systems able to deliver automated RCA. In particular, safe protocols with automated delivery of citrate and calcium can allow easy parameter settings that can be adapted to a wide range of clinical situations, facilitating the wider use of RCA in the coming years.     

Citrate: a different mental approach to extracorporeal circuit anticoagulation

Citrate anticoagulation (RCA) during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in intensive care units (ICUs) is a practical application of a regional technique in which anticoagulation is virtually restrained to the extracorporeal circuit. This technique involves a different mental approach to anticoagulation, which gives RCA an advantage over systemic anticoagulation. The efficacy of anticoagulation depends on the level of citratemia reached in the circuit (from 2 to 6 mmol/L) and the associated decrease in ionized calcium (from 0.5 to 0.1 mmol/L). Compared with heparin in ICU patients in terms of efficacy and safety, citrate is able to maintain circuit patency for the same time, if not longer. It also reduces the risk of bleeding and the need for blood transfusions. Metabolic alterations during RCA such as metabolic alkalosis, hypocalcemia and hypernatremia are rare and of little clinical impact; their incidence is similar to those reported during CRRT with heparin. In patients at risk of citrate accumulation due to liver metabolism failure, the citrate load returning to the patient can be reduced by increasing the dialysis effluent volume. The popularity of RCA worldwide is neither high nor uniform. Apart from clinical indications, its diffusion is influenced by local and logistic conditions, the level of staff skill, and economic factors. However, thanks to the availability of dedicated monitors, disposable materials, and easy-to-learn operative protocols fitting patients' needs the use of RCA is increasing. For these reasons, RCA is expected to become the ruling anticoagulation approach during CRRT in ICUs.     

Citrate anticoagulation during in vivo simulation of slow hemofiltration

Citrate anticoagulation has been used as an alternative to heparin for hemodialysis in high-risk patients; however, its use in hemofiltration has not been well studied. We examined citrate in 6 patients placed on slow hemofiltration for up to 6 h duration. During the experiments, the systemic citrate level increased from a baseline average of 0.15 to 0.55 mmol/l, and then decreased to 0.27 mmol/l. The citrate was freely filtered. The systemic total and ionized calcium decreased very slightly and no untoward effects were noted. Anticoagulation was successful. This preliminary study suggests that citrate anticoagulation can be used in slow hemofiltration.     

Citrate anticoagulation during post-dilution hemodiafiltration with a high cut-off (Theralite) membrane

Citrate anticoagulation has not yet been described for hemodiafiltration (HDF) with high cut-off (HCO) membranes, which can be used in the treatment of cast nephropathy secondary to multiple myeloma. A 57-year-old male patient with multiple myeloma and acute renal failure was treated with HDF using a HCO membrane (Theralite) each or every other day. Due to thrombocytopenia, citrate anticoagulation was done for the first 7 h, and anticoagulant-free HDF was performed for the last hour to avoid citrate accumulation. Magnesium, phosphate, and albumin were measured after 3, 6, and 8 h, and were replaced as necessary. Thirty-two post-dilution HDF procedures (8 h each, infusate 24 L) were performed with blood flow at 300-330 mL/h; sodium citrate 4% was infused at 300 mL/h and 1 mol/L calcium chloride was infused at a mean rate of 14.6 ± 1.1 mL/h. Calcium-free dialysate/infusate was used. Ionized calcium was stable (1.10 ± 0.06 before and 1.08 ± 0.06 mmol/L after HDF). Magnesium was stable (0.67 ± 0.12 before and 0.68 ± 0.05 mmol/L after HDF), with an average 390 ± 180 mg per procedure, substituted orally. There was no metabolic alkalosis or hypernatremia after the procedures, and no significant clotting was noted. The total/ionized calcium ratio (1.87 ± 0.22 before vs. 1.56 ± 0.20 after 6 h) and the corrected/ionized calcium ratio (2.02 ± 0.21 before vs. 1.88 ± 0.27 after 6 h) decreased during HDF, indicating no citrate accumulation. Citrate anticoagulation was effectively performed during 8 h of HCO membrane HDF. There were no side effects of citrate anticoagulation, nor were any signs of citrate accumulation noted.     

Citrate: an additional resource for anticoagulation in continuous replacement therapy

Anticoagulation of the extracorporeal circuit, necessary for the correct management of renal replacement treatment in acute renal failure, is essential. There is a high risk of bleeding secondary to the presence of complex platelet and coagulation abnormalities, the effect of uremia, recent surgery or a state of sepsis. This requires careful evaluation of the type of anticoagulation to be used to prevent blood clotting of the circuit, maintain filter efficiency, and minimize the risk of bleeding. In critically ill patients with no risk of bleeding, heparin is still the anticoagulant treatment of choice. With an increased bleeding risk or in particular situations such as HIT-II, dermatan sulfate can be safely used as an alternative to dilution driven. A valid additional resource in case of a high risk of bleeding is citrate, the use of which - thanks to its effectiveness and ease of use - is becoming more widespread. Citrate is able to provide regional anticoagulation without any interference with the patient. This makes it increasingly feasible to continue replacement therapy, allowing a sufficient number of hours to obtain the correct dialysis dose in critically ill patients with acute renal failure.     

Outcomes of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy With Regional Citrate Anticoagulation in Small Children After Cardiac Surgery: Experience and Protocol From a Single Center

Patients after a cardiac surgery in cardiopulmonary bypass often present an acute kidney failure. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is often required. The aim of this study was to present effectiveness and safety of CRRT with regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA‐CRRT) in small children after cardiac surgery. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 15 patients after cardiac surgery and who had RCA‐CRRT performed in 2014. The established protocol was followed. Mean time on the RCA‐CRRT was 192 h 40 min with the circuit mean lifetime of 43 h 33 min. Clotting was found to be a cause of shutdown in 29% of circuits. No severe electrolyte and metabolic disorders were observed. The RCA‐CRRT is a safe procedure for critically ill children with contraindications to the CRRT with heparin anticoagulation. To avoid adverse effects related to metabolic disorders a proper procedure protocol has to be followed.     

Sequential blood purification therapy for critical patients with hyperlipidemic severe acute pancreatitis

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of sequential blood purification therapy in the treatment of critical patients with hyperlipidemic severe acute pancreatitis.METHODS: Thirty-one intensive care unit(ICU) patients with hyperlipidemic severe acute pancreatitis treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University were divided into either a study group(n = 15; July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014) or a control group(n = 16; July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2012) based on the implementation of sequential blood purification therapy. The control group received continuous venous-venous hemofiltration(CVVH) on the basis of conventional treatments, and the therapeutic dose of CVVH was 30 m L/kg per hour. The study group received sequential plasma exchange and CVVH on the basis of conventional treatments. The anticoagulation regimen of CVVH is the regional citrate anticoagulation. Mortality rate on day 28, rates of systemic and local complications, duration of ICU, and time to target serum lipid level, as well as physiologic and laboratory indices were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: The mortality rate on day 28 was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group(13.33% vs 37.50%; P 0.05). The duration of ICU stay was significantly shorter in the study group than in the control group(7.4 ± 1.35 d vs 9.19 ± 2.99 d, P 0.05). The time to target serum lipid level was significantly shorter in the study group than in the control group(3.47 ± 0.52 d vs 7.90 ± 1.14 d, P 0.01). There were no significant differences in the rates of systemic complications and local complications between the two groups(60% vs 50% and 80% vs 81%, respectively). In the comparisons of physiologic and laboratory indices, serum albumin and C-reactive protein were significantly better in the study group than in the control group after treatment(37.8 ± 4.6 g/L vs 38.9 ± 5.7 g/L, and 20.5 ± 6.4 mg/L vs 28.5 ± 7.1 mg/L, respectively, both P 0.05). With the exception of plateletcrit, no other indices showed significant differences between the two groups.CONCLUSION: Sequential blood purification therapy is effective in the treatment of ICU patients with hyperlipidemic severe acute pancreatitis and can improve patient prognosis.     

Regional Citrate Anticoagulation for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy in the Perioperative Care of Liver Transplant Recipients: A Single Center Experience

Kidney injury with concomitant hemodialysis is a common finding in perioperative care of liver transplant patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate disturbances in acid‐base status, electrolyte balance and citrate accumulation during hemodialysis with regional citrate anticoagulation in perioperative care of liver transplant recipients. A retrospective, single center evaluation was conducted of patients with severe liver dysfunction receiving renal replacement therapy in the perioperative care of liver transplantation in a multidisciplinary ICU of a university hospital. Within 5 days of ICU stay, 89 patients undergoing liver transplantation received regional citrate anticoagulation for hemodialysis. During the study period pH (7.39 [7.33/7.43] vs. 7.44 [7.39/7.47], P‐value = 0.014), base excess values (?0.9 [?5.08/2.35] vs. 4.3 [1.93/8.21], P‐value = 0.001) and standard bicarbonate (23.6 [20/26.9] vs. 28.2 [26.2/32.2], P‐value = 0.001) significantly increased, whereas lactate levels (2.6 [1.60/4.45] vs. 1.25 [0.98/1.9], P‐value = 0.071) and Ca_tot/Ca_ion‐ratio decreased or remained below the upper reference. Hypocalcemia appeared mostly within 48 h after dialysis initiation. Although sodium levels increased during the observation, rates of hypernatremia were comparable between hemodialysis days 1 and 5. Hemodialysis using regional citrate anticoagulation remains a challenge in the perioperative care of liver transplant recipients. Major attention must be paid to acid‐base disturbances and citrate accumulation within 48 h after dialysis initiation. Nevertheless, regional citrate anticoagulation in liver dysfunction is a feasible and valuable tool, when limitations and pitfalls are adequately considered.     

Regional Citrate Anticoagulation for Intermittent Predilution Online Hemofiltration

There is no consensus on the optimal renal replacement treatment in intensive care units. Among intermittent dialysis methods, hemofiltration (HF) is preferred by some because of better hemodynamic stability and cytokine removal. We report our experience with regional citrate anticoagulation for intermittent predilution online HF. Forty‐one patients (age 69 ± 10 years, 73% male) with acute renal failure and an increased bleeding risk in intensive care units were included in this retrospective analysis. Citrate anticoagulation was performed with 4% citrate (starting at 400 mL/h) and 1 mol/L calcium chloride (starting at 7 mL/h). Calcium‐containing (1.25 mmol/L) infusate, prepared online, was used. Anticoagulation was assessed visually after HF in a subgroup of 36 procedures using a score of 5 (no clotting) to 1 (total occlusion). The duration of the 94 HF sessions performed was 4 h 50 min ± 47 min, and the infusate volume reached was 77 ± 9 L. During HF, ionized calcium increased (1.01 ± 0.14 to 1.13 ± 0.09 mmol/L, P < 0.001), and the increases in sodium (141 ± 5 to 143 ± 3 mmol/L, P < 0.001) and bicarbonate (23 ± 6 to 25 ± 4 mmol/L, P < 0.01) were significant, but small. There were two cases of metabolic alkalosis (pH > 7.5) not requiring any intervention. None of the circuits clotted. The mean anticoagulation assessment scores were 4.6 ± 0.6 at the arterial bubble trap, 4.2 ± 1.0 at the dialyzer, and 4.2 ± 0.9 at the venous bubble trap. To conclude, regional citrate anticoagulation for predilution online hemofiltration with calcium‐containing infusate provides a good anti‐thrombotic effect and has rare metabolic side effects.