Successful treatment of septic shock with disseminated intravascular coagulation using combined polymyxin-B direct hemoperfusion and recombinant thrombomodulin therapy

Abstract

We report successful treatment of septic shock accompanied by disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) resulting from infection of liver abscess in a patient using a combination of polymyxin-B direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) and recombinant thrombomodulin (rTM). Although hepatic cyst had been observed over 2 years previously, drainage was not performed due to limited findings of abscess on current abdominal computed tomography and ultrasonography. Control of the focus of infection therefore took time. After initiating PMX-DHP and rTM, arterial blood pressure increased and remained high. Combination therapy with PMX-DHP and rTM provides an effective approach for septic shock with DIC.