Cortisol and catecholamine kinetics during continuous hemodiafiltration in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome

To assess the influence of continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) on cortisol and catecholamine kinetics in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Consecutive clinical study. General intensive care unit of a university hospital. Ten adult patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome requiring CHDF. A total of 40 samples were collected during CHDF for cortisol and catecholamine assays. The clearances for cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine were 2.5 +/- 1.7 ml/min, 26.3 +/- 2.7 ml/min, 16.7 +/- 4.2 ml/min and 26.3 +/- 2.6 ml/min (Mean +/_ SE), and their daily extractions were 1.8 +/- 0.2 mg/day, 11.4 +/- 4.8 micrograms/day, 1.0 +/- 0.1 micrograms and 2.3 +/- 0.3 micrograms/day, respectively. There were no significant changes in blood cortisol and catecholamine levels during CHDF conducted for 48 h. The cortisol and catecholamine losses during CHDF were small and unlikely to lead to hemodynamic disturbances.