MARTINEZ, Calif. — A new study published in Nature’s Scientific Reports highlights the potential of ExThera Medical’s Seraph® 100 blood filter to improve outcomes for patients who develop sepsis following cardiac surgery. The study found that the device effectively reduces dangerous pathogens in the bloodstream, leading to improved recovery in critically ill patients.
Conducted at the intensive care unit of Papardo Hospital in Messina, Italy, the study focused on patients who developed sepsis after undergoing surgery for infective endocarditis, a serious infection of the heart’s inner lining. Thirteen patients were treated with the Seraph 100 Microbind® Affinity Blood Filter and compared to a control group of 15 patients who received standard care.
The results were notable. Within four hours of treatment, patients using the Seraph 100 showed a significant reduction in bloodstream pathogens. The treatment was associated with lower inflammation levels, improved blood pressure stability, reduced reliance on vasopressors, and shorter stays in intensive care.
In addition to overall recovery improvements, the study found a reduced incidence of acute kidney injury requiring dialysis—15% in the Seraph-treated group compared to 40% in the control group. The filter also successfully removed particularly difficult pathogens, including Pseudomonas and Candida, which are often resistant to standard treatments and considered major threats in hospital settings.
“These findings suggest the Seraph 100 device can help critically ill patients recover more quickly by clearing harmful pathogens from the blood,” said Dr. Mink Chawla, Chief Medical Officer at ExThera Medical. “Not only did it show improved clinical outcomes, but the device may also serve as a valuable diagnostic tool by capturing intact pathogens for further analysis.”
The study adds to growing evidence supporting the use of blood filtration in the treatment of sepsis, particularly for high-risk patients recovering from cardiac procedures. As antibiotic resistance continues to rise, technologies like Seraph 100 may offer a critical lifeline in the fight against life-threatening infections.
