Efficacy and safety of plasma hemodiafiltration (PHDF) in pediatric patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome with shock and DIC: a preliminary study

Abstract

Abstract Background Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome is the leading cause of death in pediatric intensive care units and can be very critical when combined with shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Currently, there is no effective treatment. We developed a new hemodiafiltration (HDF) method called plasma HDF (PHDF) that uses fresh frozen plasma as replacement fluid and investigated the safety and efficacy of this treatment. Methods We enrolled critically ill children with (1) a Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction 2 (PELOD-2) score ≥ 14, (2) a Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare (JMHW) DIC score ≥ 7, (3) a vasoactive inotropic score (VIS) ≥ 10, and (4) a serum total protein concentration ≤ 5.0 g/dL. PHDF was performed for 5 h and then switched to continuous HDF. The primary endpoint was the 28-day mortality rate. Secondary endpoints included assessment of vital signs, blood test data, and fluid balance from PHDF start to day 7. Results Nine patients (four males and five females) between 3 days and 40 months of age, weighing 2.1–13 kg, met the inclusion criteria. Although the median PMR was 0.94 (0.71–0.96), the 28-day mortality rate was 22.2% (2/9). One hour after the start of PHDF, there was an increase in mean arterial pressure and central venous pressure and a decrease in heart rate; by day 7, there was a significant decrease in the PELOD-2 score, the JMHW DIC score, and the VIS. Hypoproteinemia also improved the day after PHDF. Water balance was able to remain negative after day 2. Conclusions PHDF was found to be effective in the treatment of DIC and circulatory failure by supplementing coagulation and antithrombotic factors as well as by raising colloid osmotic pressure to increase circulating blood volume. PHDF has been shown to be a safe and useful treatment for critically ill children and has the potential to improve 28-day survival.