Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Profile and Mortality Rate of Critically Ill Septic Patients Following Plasmapheresis

Sepsis is one of the most prevalent and fatal diseases in intensive care units .unfortunately, therapeutic approach to sepsis has remained unchanged for many years. Nowadays, the role of cytokines in pathogenesis of sepsis is obvious. Continuous elevated levels of various cytokines in severe sepsis could result in uncontrolled inflammation status. Breaking of inflammatory cascade may lead to improvement in survival. It seems that modulation of inflammation is one of the strategic plans to conquest sepsis. Therefore, elimination of bacterial toxins and pro-inflammatory cytokines from the systemic circulation by plasmapheresis supposed to be rational approach. Researchers have done several attempts to clarify the efficacy of plasmapheresis in sepsis treatment. However because of inconsistent results, routine use of this procedure in patients with severe sepsis remains controversial. The aim of the present survey is to determine the effect of plasmapheresis on plasma levels of main pro-inflammatory cytokines and evaluate its therapeutic efficacy in improvement of outcome and treatment of severe sepsis.