Key findings
thrombopenia, cardiac arrest
THROMBOPENIA, CARDIAC ARREST
We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the safety and feasibility of hemoadsorption in cardiac arrest survivors at risk of PCAS. We found that the intervention could easily be implemented and was well tolerated. In particular, the regional anticoagulation protocol based on heparin and protamine infusions appeared safe and efficient to maintain the circuit patency for 24 h. We observed a trend for more thrombopenia in the treatment group but this did not lead to an increased need for transfusions. The intervention appeared to demonstrate some efficacy since it was associated with a trend toward a higher reduction in IL-6 plasma levels and other cytokines. The magnitude of this reduction was higher in patients with very elevated cytokine plasma levels at randomization.