Fig. 3

Differences in laboratory parameters and oxygenation parameters between the control and treatment group. a Total white blood cells count (a) (p = 0.031) differed between study groups, without significant changes over time, and no interactions between study groups and time of assessment; while percentage of neutrophils (b) differed between study groups (p = 0.009), significantly changed over time (p < 0.001), without interactions between study groups and time of assessment; similarly, percentage of lymphocytes (c) differed between study groups (p = 0.002), significantly changed over time (p < 0.001), without interactions between study groups and time of assessment; also, platelets count (d) differed between study groups (p < 0.001), significantly changed over time (p < 0.001), without interactions between study groups and time of assessment. Ratio of partial pressure arterial oxygen and fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO₂/FiO₂) (e) and pulmonary shunt (f) significantly changed over time (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018, respectively), in a similar fashion between groups, and without interactions between study groups and time of assessment. Of note, hemoperfusion through a column containing polymyxin B-immobilized fiber caused a significant reduction in circulating neutrophils and platelets and an increase in circulating lymphocytes