1 From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, and Department of Medicine, Divisions of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and Nephrology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit
Four patients with severe theophylline toxicity (theophylline levels of 60 to 180 µg/ml) are reported. Three patients with neurotoxicity were treated with hemoperfusion. Two of these were hemoperfused early after the onset of seizures; they recovered with no neurologic deficit. In the third patient hemoperfusion was delayed for 16 hours after uncontrolled seizures; severe brain damage resulted. The fourth patient, who had the highest peak theophylline level but no seizures, was successfully treated with conservative management and peritoneal dialysis. The role of hemoperfusion in severe theophylline intoxication is discussed.
Key Words: theophylline toxicity hemoperfusion seizures
Submitted on December 29, 1981
Accepted on February 18, 1982