CytoSorb : widely used, but no proven benefit

A used CytoSorb cartridge. Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH Many hospitals use the adsorber to purify the blood of seriously ill patients in order to trap inflammatory substances and prevent the life-threatening cytokine storm. Many hospitals use the adsorber to purify the blood of seriously ill patients in order to trap inflammatory substances and prevent the life-threatening cytokine storm. MHH researchers have now found in a meta-study that the treatment does not reduce mortality and may even cause harm. Blood purification procedures are used for a variety of diseases such as kidney failure or severe infections. The best-known form of blood purification is haemodialysis for kidney failure. There are also various treatments known as therapeutic apheresis, which ensure that pathogens or harmful metabolic products are removed from the blood.