Acute blood purification with extracorporeal circulation for neonates

Abstract

Peritoneal dialysis has long been the most commonly used acute blood purification for neonates. Recently, cases of acute blood purification using extracorporeal circulation have been reported in neonates, especially those with low birth weight. In 2013, the “Japanese Guidelines for Neonatal Acute Blood Purification with Extracorporeal Circulation” were published. In Japan, a blood purification system that can be set at speeds as low as 1 mL/min, anticoagulants with low risk of bleeding, and low-priming-volume columns are available. These may contribute to improved outcomes for critically ill and low-birth-weight infants.

About 10 years have passed since the publication of the aforementioned guidelines. In the future, it will be necessary to consolidate the experience of acute blood purification using extracorporeal circulation for neonates in Japan and disseminate more effective and safer methods nationwide to “equalize” this therapy as a general treatment method.