Methods for reducing levels of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory stimulators or mediators in the blood

A method comprising

• selecting for use an adsorption medium comprising a group of polymeric particles each comprising a hydrophobic core and a biocompatible hydrophilic coating, the adsorption medium selected to have a Biocompatibility Index of not greater than 14 derived by a protocol consisting essentially of
• (i) selecting blood indicators which quantify, physiologic changes based upon contact between the adsorption medium and blood, the blood indicators consisting essentially of (1) white blood cell count diminution as a result of contact with the adsorption medium ascertained by Coulter Counter;
• (2) red blood cell count diminution as a result of contact with the adsorption medium ascertained by Coulter Counter;
• (3) platelet count diminution as a result of contact with the adsorption medium ascertained by Coulter Counter;
• (4) leukocytes activation as a result of contact with the adsorption medium ascertained by measuring polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase concentration (PMN Elastase Concentration);
• (5) complement activation as a result of contact with the adsorption medium ascertained by measuring anaphylatoxin C3a-desArg concentrations;
• (6) occurrence of hemolysis as a result of contact with the adsorption medium ascertained by determining concentrations of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH);
• and reduction of clot formation as a result of contact with the adsorption medium ascertained by measuring concentrations of thrombin-antithrombin-complex (TAT),
• (ii) for each indicator, ascertaining a maximum difference between the indicator values over 25 ml of flow of heparinized blood heparinized to a final concentration of 1.0 IU heparin/ml blood passed through a biocompatible housing without the adsorption medium, comprising a baseline value, and heparinized blood passed through the housing containing the adsorption medium, and for each indicator, expressing the maximum change as a percentage change, relative to the baseline value,
• (iii) scoring the percentage change for each indicator as a dimensionless numeric quantity 1, 2, or 3, depending upon the magnitude of the percentage change, in accordance with Table 1,
• (iv) after scoring each indicator with a numeric quantity of 1, 2, or 3, adding the numeric quantities scored for all the indicators to obtain a total, the total comprising the Biocompatibility Index,
• placing the adsorption medium in a housing, and
• conveying blood into the housing and through the adsorption medium.