Extracorporeal hemoadsorption with the CytoSorb device as a potential therapeutic option in severe intoxications: Review of the rationale and current clinical experiences

What is known and objective: Many severe intoxications occur with substances with no specific antidote, which is why methods of extracorporeal elimination represent a particularly useful and even critical component in their management. The purpose of this review is to summarize the accumulating evidence and clinical results from the application of CytoSorb hemoadsorption therapy in patients with severe intoxications.

Comment: The technology represents a promising technique with an increasing number of publications in a variety of severe intoxication scenarios suggesting that early intervention might provide rapid substance removal with subsequent overall clinical improvement.

What is new and conclusion: Given the tremendous challenges in performing prospective, randomized trials in this field, the strong safety profile of the device and the high acuity of these life-threatening situations, CytoSorb should be considered as a therapeutic option in severe intoxications, particularly when direct antidotes are not available. However, further clinical data are desirable to provide precise recommendations.