Two survivors of severe paraquat intoxication by "continuous hemoperfusion".

"Continuous hemoperfusion" (8 h/day for 2--3 weeks) was performed in two patients suffering from severe paraquat intoxication. On account of paraquat plasma concentrations a fatal outcome due to pulmonary fibrosis would have been expected in both cases. However, both patients survived following "continuous hemoperfusion" therapy. Coated activated charcoal seems to have a higher affinity for paraquat than lung tissue.