Nee J, Jörres A, Krannich A, et al. - Given the main mediatory role of glutamine and glutamate in secondary brain cell death during postcardiac arrest syndrome, it seems that elimination of glutamine and glutamate from systemic circulation by extracorporeal blood purification could ultimately lead to reduced secondary cell death in the brain. Researchers here examined if continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) may aid in reducing systemic glutamine and glutamate. They performed a prospective, randomized clinical trial in postcardiac-arrest survivors evaluating standard of care or additional CVVHDF over 72 h immediately after admission. Over a period of 12 months, 41 patients were randomized for this work (control n = 21, CVVHDF n = 20). In this trial, no statistically significant lowering of systemic plasma glutamine and glutamate levels were achieved using CVVHDF. Plasma glutamine and glutamate levels were within the normal range among postcardiac arrest patients.