OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of CVVH on the plasma levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).

METHODSTwenty-two patients with MODS were treated with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH), venous and arterial blood samples were taken at 0, 1, 4, 8 hour following CVVH and ultrafiltration fluid samples were taken at 8 hour following CVVH. Arterial blood samples were used for blood gas analysis, venous blood samples and ultrafiltration fluid were used to measure the levels of cytokines by ELISA.

RESULTSThe plasma levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1 were significantly decreased following CVVH (P < 0.05). The IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 were detected in the ultrafiltration fluid and TNF-alpha was not. Heart rate decreased and mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased significantly 4 hrs after CVVH (P < 0.05). PaO(2)/FiO(2) increased significantly (P < 0.05). The APACHE II scores reduced after CVVH (P < 0.05). The reduction of APACHE II score and the elimination of cytokines were positively correlated with ultrafiltration flow rates

CONCLUSIONSCVVH can remove some cytokines in plasma, reduce APACHEII score and improve hemodynamics and oxygenation in MODS. Moreover, higher volume hemofiltration has better effect on the elimination of cytokines and can further improve the prognosis of MODS.