Introduction Hyperlactatemia occurs during or after extracorporeal circulation in the form of lactic acidosis, increasing the risk of postoperative complications and the mortality rate. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether continuous high-volume hemofiltration with volume replacement through a polyethersulfone filter during the extracorporeal circulation procedure decreases postoperative lactatemia and its consequences. Materials and methods This was a randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of 32: with or without continuous high-volume hemofiltration through a polyethersulfone membrane. Five patients were excluded from each group during the study period. The sociodemographic characteristics, filter effects, and blood lactate levels at different times during the procedure were evaluated. Secondary endpoints were studied, such as the reduction in the intubation time and time spent in ICU. Results Lactatemia measurements performed during the preoperative and intraoperative phases were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the blood lactate levels in the postoperative period and at 24 hours in the intensive care unit showed a significant reduction and a possible clinical benefit in the hemofiltered group. Following extracorporeal circulation, the mean lactate level was higher (difference: 0.77 mmol/L; CI 0.95: 0.01–1.53) in the nonhemofiltered group than in the hemofiltered group (p<0.05). This effect was greater at 24 hours (p = 0.019) in the nonhemofiltered group (difference: 1.06 mmol/L; CI 0.95: 0.18–1.93) than in the hemofiltered group. The reduction of lactatemia is associated with a reduction of inflammatory mediators and intubation time, with an improvement in liver function. Conclusions The use and control of continuous high-volume hemofiltration through a polyethersulfone membrane during heart-lung surgery could potencially prevent postoperative complications. The reduction of lactatemia implied a reduction in intubation time, a decrease in morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit and a shorter hospital stay.

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To compare and contrast the Classification of Causes of Historical Mortality (CCHM) with the International Classification of Diseases 4 th Revision (ICD-4) as methodological elements that can be implemented in historical mortality studies. Materials and methodsWe conducted a longitudinal descriptive study of the causes of death in two different localities in Spain, namely, Cadiz and Vejer de la Frontera (1900Frontera ( -1950, to compare the International Classification of Diseases 4 th Revision (ICD-4) and the Classification of Causes of Historical Mortality (CCHM). This study proposes the CCHM and its use in statistical analyses of mortality, especially from the mid-19 th century to the second half of 20 th century. It is a methodological instrument based on the theoretical precepts of Thomas McKeown, expanded through knowledge gained in studies of historical mortality and contrasted with editions of the ICD. ResultsThe results showed several differences between the ICD-4 and the CCHM. The ten main causes of death (CoDs) in the CCHM account for 74.3% in Cadiz, compared to 56.6% accounted for by the ICD-4. According to the ICD-4, the number of infectious CoDs exceed the number of noninfectious ones in Cadiz every year. On the other hand, based on the CCHM, we observed that while infectious CoD causes of death predominated over noninfectious ones, there was a change in trend, with noninfectious CoDs predominating the following year. During the interval from 1915 to 1937 in Vejer de la Frontera, there were 12 deaths due to ill-specified causes ) and 0 due to ill-defined causes (CCHM: 3.0.0.0).