Outcomes of plasma exchange for severe dilated cardiomyopathy in children

Impact of Acute Coronary Syndrome on Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening clinical syndrome characterized by microangiopathy and a variable degree of end-organ ischemic damage. Cardiac involvement has been recognized as a major cause of mortality in these patients. In this study, we queried the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) for all patients hospitalized with thrombotic microangiopathy from 2002 to 2017, who also received plasma exchange (PLEX) during the same admission. A total of 6,214 patients with TTP were identified. We stratified patients based on whether or not they had acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during admission. ACS was documented in 6.3% of patients. Compared with patients without ACS, those with ACS were relatively older (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.03) and had a relatively higher prevalence of heart failure (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.53-2.67) and coronary artery disease (OR, 2.69; 95% CI, 2.03-3.57). Certain complications were more prevalent in the ACS group including acute cerebrovascular accident (OR, 3.33; 95% CI, 2.94-3.78), acute heart failure (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.67-2.19), acute kidney injury (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.59-1.95), cardiogenic shock (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.72-2.69), and respiratory failure (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.32-1.66). Despite wider utilization of therapeutic plasmapheresis and improved supportive management of patients with TTP, associated morbidity and mortality remain significant. We demonstrate from this large retrospective cohort that ACS is an independent predictor of higher morbidity and mortality in TTP patients.

Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice - Evidence-Based Approach from the Writing Committee of the American Society for Apheresis: The Eighth Special Issue

The American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) Journal of Clinical Apheresis (JCA) Special Issue Writing Committee is charged with reviewing, updating and categorizing indications for the evidence-based use of therapeutic apheresis (TA) in human disease. Since the 2007 JCA Special Issue (Fourth Edition), the committee has incorporated systematic review and evidence-based approaches in the grading and categorization of apheresis indications. This Eighth Edition of the JCA Special Issue continues to maintain this methodology and rigor in order to make recommendations on the use of apheresis in a wide variety of diseases/conditions. The JCA Eighth Edition, like its predecessor, continues to apply the category and grading system definitions in fact sheets. The general layout and concept of a fact sheet that was introduced in the Fourth Edition, has largely been maintained in this edition. Each fact sheet succinctly summarizes the evidence for the use of TA in a specific disease entity or medical condition. The Eighth Edition comprises 84 fact sheets for relevant diseases and medical conditions, with 157 graded and categorized indications and/or TA modalities. The Eighth Edition of the JCA Special Issue seeks to continue to serve as a key resource that guides the utilization of TA in the treatment of human disease.