Continuous cytokine haemoadsorption incorporated into a venoarterial ECMO circuit for the management of postcardiotomy cardiogenic and septic shock – a case report

The acute surgical treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) carries a high risk of postoperative mortality. Most complications are linked to uncontrolled sepsis and inflammatory processes. Cytokine haemoadsorption is an extracorporeal technique which has benefits reported in haemodynamic stability and inflammatory response.

A 46-year-old male patient underwent emergency cardiac surgery due to progressive IE. Postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock associated with cardiac surgery required the implantation of venoarterial (VA)-ECMO. Three days later, the patient developed secondary septic shock. The novel application of continuous CytoSorb^TM treatment installed in the VA-ECMO circuit is demonstrated in this case during the management of simultaneous shocks. Advanced intensive care led to an improvement in the patient’s condition, which facilitated successful weaning from mechanical ventilation. However, the patient died from a new onset fulminant septic shock two months after his initial cardiac surgery.

VA-ECMO is suitable for installation of the CytoSorb^TM cartridge. This modality could be an option for high-volume, continuous cytokine haemoadsorption when VA-ECMO is employed without renal replacement therapy.

This specific application of CytoSorb^TM was safe, feasible and contributed to the optimal management of simultaneous shocks.