OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of continuous blood purification on the hemodynamics and oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

METHODSTwenty-one patients with ARDS were treated with continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) combined with plasma exchange. Hemodynamics and oxygenation were measured or calculated at scheduled intervals using Swan-Ganz catheters.

RESULTSThe mean arterial pressure, partial pressure of arterial oxygen, oxygen delivery, oxygen consumption increased, heart rate, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, blood lactate concentration all decreased significantly after the treatment, and the oxygen extraction ratio underwent no obvious changes.

CONCLUSIONSContinuous blood purification can increase blood and oxygen supply but has no significant effects on oxygen extraction ratio in ARDS patients.