Adjuvant Therapy With CytoSorb in Refractory Septic Shock (ACYSS)

Effect of the CytoSorb Adsorber on Hemodynamic, Immunological and Pharmacokinetic Parameters in Refractory Septic Shock

This prospective randomized single center study investigates to what extent the removal of elevated cytokine levels by hemoadsorption has a positive effect on the treatment of patients in septic shock by stabilizing the circulatory situation.

The term "sepsis" refers to a clinical syndrome in which a dysregulation of the host's inflammatory reaction to infection leads to a life-threatening of organ dysfunctions. Sepsis and septic shock are major causes of death in intensive care units worldwide. The clinical picture of septic shock, the most severe form of sepsis, leads to uncontrolled production and release of a large number of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators, the "cytokine storm". Septic shock is accompanied by a massive increase in mortality of up to 60%. This high mortality rate is due to a lack of current treatment options. The early recognition of the disease and its immediate treatment are decisive for successful therapy and the survival of those affected. The most important therapeutic steps, apart from focus control by antibiotics and surgical intervention, are the stabilization of the affected organ systems, in particular the circulatory system and the respiratory system. As an extracorporeal and non-specific procedure for the interruption of the cytokine storm, hemoadsorption by means of CytoSorb adsorbers may be an intervention, which has already demonstrated its basic effectiveness in the treatment of septic and cardiosurgical patients.

Therapy of septic shock using guideline directed standard of care, including continuous renal replacement therapy in combination with haemadsorption using CytoSorb-Adsorber

Therapy of septic shock using guideline directed standard of care, including continuous renal replacement therapy

Additional use of Cytosorb-Adsorber in patients with septic shock and need for continuous renal replacement therapy

Percentage of patients with a reduction of catecholamine dose of at least 25% within the first 48 hours of treatment

Percentage of patients with a reduction of catecholamine dose of at least 25% compared to baseline for at least 6 hours within the first 48 hours of treatment.

Change in organ dysfunction based on "Sequential Organ Failure Assessment" (SOFA) Score The SOFA score is made of 6 variables, each representing an organ system. Each organ system is assigned a point value from 0 (normal) to 4 (high degree of dysfunction/failure) The worst physiological variables were collected serially every 24 hours of a patient's ICU admission. The "worst" measurement was defined as the measure that correlated to the highest number of points. The SOFA score ranges from 0 to 24.

Percentage of patients with a reduction of catecholamine dose of at least 25% within the first 24 hours of treatment

Percentage of patients with a reduction of catecholamine dose of at least 25% compared to baseline for at least 6 hours within the first 48 hours of treatment.

Serum drug Levels of pre and post filter and adsorber system on day 1-3 while CytoSorb therapy (sampling: t 0, 1, 2, 6, 8, 12, 24 h after CytoSorb initiation)

Change of TNF-alfa level (Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha) level after LPS (Lipopolysaccharides) stimulation as sign of monocytic immunocompetence

Inclusion Criteria: Refractory septic shock Need for Norepinephrine ≥ 0.25 µg/kg/min IL6 ≥ 1000 ng/l Indication for CRRT Exclusion Criteria: Sepsis due to pulmonary or urogenital causes Onset of septic shock longer than 36 hours Liver cirrhosis Child Pugh C "do not resuscitate"-order expected survival < 14 days participation in another interventional trial Pregnancy or breastfeeding Lack of consent

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