[The effect of operating time of PMX-DHP on decrease of platelets].

BACKGROUND: Recently, it is said that long-term PMX-DHP is beneficial for severe septic shock. Decrease in platelets, however, is one of the problems of PMX-DHP. We retrospectively examined the effect of operating time of PMX-DHP on decrease of platelets. METHODS: Forty-nine subjects were divided into three subgroups by their operating times of PMX-DHP. In short (S) group, the operating time was below 4 hours, and the group comsisted of 13 subjects. Intermediate (I) group with operating time of 4-12 hours, had 15 subjects. And long (L) group with operating time of 12-24 hours, had 21 subjects. Rate of decrease of platelets was compared between these subgroups. RESULTS: Decreased rate of platelets of each sub-group is as follows; S group showed 16.7 +/- 28.4%, I group showed 25.5 +/- 28.1%, and L group showed 23.7 +/- 30.3% respectively. And there were no significant differences between these subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased rate of platelets was around 20% as previously reported and constant regardless of duration of operating times of PMX-DHP. Long-term PMX-DHP within 24 hours is practically safe in case of severe septic shock.