Cytokine Removal in Extracorporeal Blood Purification: An in vitro Study

Abstract

The mechanisms of cytokine removal by blood purification include convection, diffusion, and adsorption. PMMA-based filters are able to combine all 3 mechanisms for certain cytokines. Cytosorb showed the best adsorption kinetics, while dialysis with polystyrene-based membranes offers the best biocompatibility because they do not show any unspecific adsorption of other plasma components.