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In Japan, treatment of severe sepsis frequently includes hemoperfusion using immobilized polymyxin B, an endotoxin binder. However, data supporting this therapy are limited. Now, investigators in Italy have conducted a multicenter, controlled trial of polymyxin B hemoperfusion in patients with severe sepsis stemming from an intra-abdominal infection that had required emergency surgery. The polymyxin B cartridges were donated by the manufacturer.
Between December 2004 and December 2007, 64 patients were randomized to conventional therapy with or without two 2-hour sessions of hemoperfusion with a cartridge containing immobilized polymyxin B. The study was terminated when a preplanned interim analysis showed that polymyxin B hemoperfusion was …