Changes in microvascular blood flow during coupled plasma filtration and adsorption

A 51-year-old man with septic shock underwent three consecutive sessions of coupled plasma filtration-adsorption each lasting 12 hours. Sublingual microvascular perfusion was assessed using the orthogonal polarisation spectral imaging technique at three different times: immediate pre-coupled plasma filtration-adsorption phase, two hours following commencement and two hours after its termination. The video images of the sublingual microcirculation were analysed by an investigator blinded to the time of image acquisition. The De Backer's score was calculated. During the coupled plasma filtration-adsorption, the number of perfused vessels increased compared with the pre-coupled plasma filtration-adsorption period, but decreased again after its termination. It is arguable that the elimination of septic mediators during the procedure could account for the observed variations.