Multidisciplinary treatment by pneumonectomy, PMX and CHDF in a case of pulmonary suppuration complicated with septic shock.

A 68-year-old male, who had suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis with cavities on the right upper lobe, developed breathlessness, bloody sputum, right chest pain and fever. His laboratory data on admission showed severe infection or sepsis (WBC 2,600/mL, CRP 40.2 mg/dL), and his respiratory condition rapidly worsened. In the intensive care unit (ICU) he was given continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF), but his respiratory condition failed to improve and it was therefore decided to perform a right pneumonectomy. His severe hypoxemia was resolved but because high dose catecholamines medication was still required, polymyxin-B immobilized fiber (PMX) and CHDF were performed. The operation was successful and he was transferred from the ICU to a general ward seven days postoperatively. The vicious circle of septic shock presenting in this case was successfully broken by the pneumonectomy and subsequent treatment by PMX and CHDF, which eliminated the causative factors of sepsis. (Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003; 9: 319-22)