Objective: To determine whether haemoperfusion (HP) with continuous venovenous haemofiltration (CVVH) improves the survival of patients with acute paraquat poisoning, compared with those treated using HP alone.
Methods: Medical records of patients with acute paraquat poisoning were analysed. Patients were randomised to undergo HP or HP + CVVH within 24 h of paraquat ingestion. Mortality rate, survival duration and cause of death were recorded.
Results: There were no significant differences in mortality rate between the HP group (n = 458) and the HP + CVVH group (n = 226) (57.4% and 58.4%, respectively). The mean survival duration was significantly longer in the HP + CVVH group than the HP group (8.6 ± 3.1 and 5.1 ± 2.3 days, respectively). Early circulatory collapse was a major cause of death in the HP group. The major cause of death in the HP + CVVH group was late respiratory failure.
Conclusion: Combined therapy with HP and CVVH can prevent early death and prolong survival duration following acute paraquat poisoning, providing the opportunity for further treatment.
Keywords: Continuous venovenous haemofiltration; haemoperfusion; paraquat poisoning.
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