Challenges in the use of the CytoSorb® adsorber in an intensive care patient with liver dysfunction of unknown origin: a case report

Gräfe, Caroline; Paal, Michael; Irlbeck, Michael; Liebchen, Uwe; Scharf, Christina; Graf, Helen (2025): Challenges in the use of the CytoSorb® adsorber in an intensive care patient with liver dysfunction of unknown origin: a case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports, 19: 440. ISSN 1752-1947

Abstract

Background

The treatment of critically ill patients in intensive care units is becoming increasingly complex. For example, organ transplants are regularly carried out, the recipients are seriously ill, and the postoperative course can be complicated. This is why organ replacement and hemadsorption procedures are becoming increasingly important. Adsorption processes are used for specific indications, such as hyperinflammation, hepatic dysfunction, or rhabdomyolysis, in critically ill patients. Nevertheless, there is still a knowledge gap in terms of safety, interactions, and application. This case report provides an example of the thought process that went into deciding whether to apply an adsorption process, as well as other necessary treatment modifications resulting from the application.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 26-year-old Italian man with a complicated postoperative period after lung transplant with the need of organ support systems and hemadsorption therapy. Besides operative difficulties of the transplant and massive bleeding, the patient developed a severe liver failure of unknown origin with highly elevated bile acids, which indicated the use of the CytoSorb ® cytokine adsorber. Since there are indications that undesired drug elimination may occur and that saturation kinetics have not yet been comprehensively investigated, there were a number of aspects to consider during application. For example, the patient received additional vancomycin dosing and vancomycin blood levels were monitored. Further, to avoid premature saturation of the adsorber, the cartridge was changed every 8 hours. These adjustments resulted in a continuous reduction in bile acids while maintaining stable vancomycin blood levels, which is critical in immunosuppressed patients.

Conclusion

The report focuses on two main aspects regarding a safe and sufficient usage of CytoSorb ® in the intensive care medicine. First, shortened changing periods increase the elimination rate of the adsorber, which is quickly saturated by bigger molecules, for example, bile acids. Second, additional vancomycin dosing during CytoSorb ® application avoids under dosing since CytoSorb ® eliminates vancomycin.

• Dokumententyp: Artikel (Klinikum der LMU)
• Organisationseinheit (Fakultäten): 07 Medizin > Klinikum der LMU München > Klinik für Anaesthesiologie
• DFG-Fachsystematik der Wissenschaftsbereiche: Lebenswissenschaften
• DFG: Gefördert durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - 491502892