• Hemoperfusion consists of the passage of anticoagulated blood through an extracorporeal device containing adsorbent particles. Hemoperfusion permits the removal of substances from the blood through direct binding with the adsorptive substrate. This technique is most useful for the treatment of intoxications with agents that have high protein- or lipid-binding, and therefore are poorly removed by other techniques. The only hemoperfusion media currently available in the United States is activated charcoal; synthetic resins, which provide higher binding of lipid-soluble drugs, are available in Europe. Although hemoperfusion is highly effective at removing many agents, it is associated with a significant rate of complications, including thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and hypotension. For this reason, hemoperfusion is generally reserved for the treatment of severe intoxications not amenable to other therapies

  • Other drug intoxications that are amenable to treatment with hemoperfusion include tricyclic antidepressants, barbiturates, theophylline, methaqualone, and glutethimide, [[Paraquat Intoxication]]

References

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