Diagnostic haemoperfusion for rapid detection of bacteremia. First clinical results of a comparison with the conventional blood culture technique.

The new method of diagnostic haemoperfusion was compared with the conventional blood culture technique in 25 patients with suspected septicaemia. The chance of obtaining a positive result proved to be clearly greater than that by conventional techniques (16:9). Furthermore, in the case of a positive result with the haemoperfusion technique both the bacterial identification and antibiotic sensitivities were available earlier than was previously possible. The procedure of diagnostic haemoperfusion is safe and carries a minimal risk of complications for the patient.