**2.4 Measurement**

Endotoxin activity was measured using a commercial kit for whole blood neutrophil-dependent chemiluminescence (EAA Endotoxin Activity Assay; Spectral Diagnostics, Inc., Toronto, Ont., Canada). Arterial blood samples for EAA assay were drawn before the treatment (T0), after 72 h of CRRT with the Oxiris membrane (T1). The plasma levels of IL-6 and IL 10 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, according to the manufacturer's instructions (R&DSystems, Minneapolis, MN, USA). PCT was detected by enzyme-linked fluorescence assay (MINIVIDAS; bioMérieux, Marcy-l'Étoile, France).

Hemodynamic and respiratory data were continuously recorded on the electronic patient record system. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed by a cardiologist blind to the protocol, and the images was stored and analyzed off-line.

Thromboelastography analysis was performed at basal time and at the end of the treatment.

The Thrombelastograph® (TEG® 5000, Haemonetics Inc., Braintree MA) analyzer, the TEG6s system (Haemonetics, Braintree, MA, Niles, IL) have been used.
