Extracorporeal management of poisonings

Abstract

Extracorporeal methods have been an integral part in the management of poisonings. The elimination of a drug or toxin by extracorporeal techniques (ECT) is governed by the properties of the toxin and the chosen extracorporeal therapy. The various ECT include hemodialysis, hemoperfusion, hemofiltration, continuous renal replacement therapy and peritoneal dialysis, all of which have been used some time or another for the management of poisonings. This review highlights the concepts forming the basis for selecting one modality over the others.