Early Use of Polymyxin B Hemoperfusion in Abdominal Septic Shock

Abstract

Severe sepsis and septic shock are common problems in the intensive care unit (ICU) and carry a high mortality. Endotoxin, one of the principal components on the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, is considered relevant to their pathogenesis. High levels of endotoxin activity are associated with worse clinical outcomes.¹ However, effectiveness of endotoxin-targeted therapy is still controversial.^2,3