CytoSorb therapy for sepsis

The technology described in this briefing is CytoSorb therapy. It is an extracorporeal blood purification device that can be used to lower cytokine levels in the blood.

The innovative aspects are that it is the only CE-marked device designed to lower excessive cytokines, which has the potential to control the excessive inflammatory response and reduce complications.

The intended place in therapy would be as an addition to standard treatments, which may include renal replacement therapy, for people with sepsis or septic shock.

The key points from the evidence summarised in this briefing are from 5 studies (1 randomised controlled trial and 4 case series, n=92 in total). The trial reported no differences in mortality between CytoSorb therapy and standard care; but it was not powered to detect this. The quality of this evidence is unclear because the 5 studies were published as abstracts only.

Key uncertainties are that there is little evidence on key outcomes for CytoSorb therapy compared with standard care. Also the generalisability of the available evidence to NHS clinical practice is unclear.

The cost of the CytoSorb device is £920 per single-use unit (excluding VAT). The main resource impact on the NHS would be the costs of the technology in addition to standard care.