In vivo evaluation of a composite sorbent for the treatment of paraquat intoxication by hemoperfusion.

In vivo evaluation of a new hemoperfusion (HP) device for Paraquat detoxification is reported. The key element of the extracorporeal system is a column packed with newly developed composite sorbent beads containing Fullers' Earth (FE) entrapped in crosslinked Agarose. The proposed HP system exhibits very good biocompatibility characteristics when conventional heparinization is supplemented by infusing 0.02 ml per min acid-citrate dextrose (ACD) solution per ml. perfused blood at the inlet to the HP column. No complications or abnormalities were detected in animals which were hemoperfused with the system described. It is suggested that the new device is effective and safe for clinical application.