Potential Clinical Use of CytoSorb® for Ticagrelor and Rivaroxaban Elimination Prior to Emergency Orthopedic Surgery in Trauma Patients

TL;DR

This study explores using CytoSorb® to remove anticoagulants before emergency orthopedic surgery in trauma patients to reduce bleeding risks.

Contribution

It introduces CytoSorb® as a potential tool for preoperative anticoagulant removal in trauma surgery, an unexplored application.

Findings

CytoSorb® may effectively remove ticagrelor and rivaroxaban in trauma patients.

The study will assess drug clearance pharmacokinetics and procedural safety.

Results could support earlier surgery and improved perioperative safety in trauma care.

Abstract

Background: Major orthopedic trauma in patients receiving anticoagulants such as ticagrelor or rivaroxaban poses a significant perioperative challenge, particularly in emergency contexts where bleeding risks are heightened and specific reversal agents may be unavailable. CytoSorb®, a hemoadsorption device, has demonstrated efficacy in cardiac surgery for drug removal. Its potential application in trauma surgery remains unexplored. Objective: This protocol describes a prospective clinical investigation assessing the feasibility and safety of CytoSorb® hemoadsorption for the preoperative removal of ticagrelor and rivaroxaban in trauma patients requiring urgent orthopedic surgery. Methods: The proposed intervention involves integrating CytoSorb® into a dedicated extracorporeal circuit under normothermic conditions (37 °C) with a blood flow of 150–200 mL/min for 300 min. Serial plasma samples will be collected at predefined intervals (0, 30, 60, 120, 240, 300 min) and drug concentrations. The primary outcome is the pharmacokinetic profile of drug clearance. Secondary endpoints include procedural safety, bleeding complications, and the feasibility of timely surgery. Expected Impact: The study aims to provide real-world data on the practical integration of CytoSorb® for anticoagulant removal in orthopedic trauma care, potentially facilitating earlier surgery and improving perioperative safety. Findings may inform future randomized trials and protocol standardization.

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