Blood filtering procedure tested as new weapon against deadly sepsis

NCT ID NCT04057872

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study tested the safety of a blood-filtering procedure called therapeutic plasma exchange in 17 adults with septic shock, a life-threatening infection that causes organ failure. The procedure removes the liquid part of the blood and replaces it with fluids or donor plasma. The goal was to see if it could be done safely in this setting, with future studies needed to check if it actually helps patients recover.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
therapeutic plasma exchange (a procedure that removes and replaces blood plasma with fluids, albumin, or plasma)
What this could lead to
If this procedure proves safe and effective in larger studies, it could offer a new way to reduce organ failure and death from severe sepsis.
What could go wrong
This is a very small, early-phase safety study with only 17 participants. It is not designed to prove the treatment works, and side effects or lack of benefit are possible.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Peter Lougheed Centre

    Calgary, Alberta, T3M 1M4, Canada

  • South Health Campus

    Calgary, Alberta, T3M 1M4, Canada

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