Extracorporeal removal of toxins

Abstract

Holubek et al. reviewed data on extracorporeal removal (ECR) of toxins from the Toxic Exposure Surveillance System (TESS) from 1985 to 2005. Hemodialysis use increased, but hemoperfusion nearly disappeared. Lithium, ethylene glycol, salicylate, and, increasingly, acetaminophen still often necessitate hemodialysis; ECR for theophylline has disappeared. TESS data do not separate continuous renal replacement therapy from hemodialysis, and not all poisonings were reported in this system. Nonetheless, these trends are useful to the nephrology community.