Double filtration plasmapheresis in the treatment of pancreatitis due to severe hypertriglyceridemia

Comparative analysis of therapeutic plasma exchange vs. standard management in hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis: triglyceride reduction and clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) for treatment of hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTGP) remains controversial in the literature. This study compared the clinical outcomes of TPE versus conventional therapy in patients with HTGP.

METHODS

Fifty-five patients with HTGP were included. Patients were retrospectively compared in pairs: those who received TPE treatment and those who did not, those whose triglyceride level fell below 500 mg/dL within 48 h, and those who did not, those with and without persistent organ failure. The primary outcome was the percentage of triglyceride reduction within 48 h. Secondary outcomes were the length of hospital stay, mortality, cost-effectiveness, and persistent organ failure.

RESULTS

Percentage decrease in triglyceride levels, medical hospitalization costs, and length of hospital stay were higher in the TPE group compared to the non-TPE group (p < 0.05, for each). However, there was no difference regarding persistent organ failure and mortality (p > 0.05, for each). The length of hospital stay, average cost, persistent organ failure, and mortality were similar in both groups whose triglyceride level fell below 500 mg/dL within 48 h and those who did not (p > 0.05, for each). Among patients with persistent organ failure, average cost was higher in the TPE group compared to the non-TPE group (p < 0.05). An independent relation was found between the average cost and persistent organ failure, TPE, length of hospital stay, albumin, and urea values in all patients (p < 0.05, for each).

CONCLUSIONS

The approach of using TPE for treatment of HTGP was not found to be superior to the conventional treatment. Randomized controlled studies with larger number of patients are needed to gain better understanding of this issue.

Initiation time of double-filtration plasma apheresis affects the risk of persistent organ failure in hypertriglyceridaemia-induced acute pancreatitis: a retrospective study

The effect of double filtration plasma apheresis (DFPP) on improving the outcomes of patients with hypertriglyceridaemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the initiation time of DFPP and the risk of persistent organ failure (POF) in an HTG-AP cohort in China. We retrospectively evaluated data from HTG-AP patients treated with DFPP 48 h after diagnosis between January 2017 and January 2022. Comparisons across tertiles of the interval from diagnosis to completion of one DFPP session (DTD) were analysed. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to determine the correlation between the DTD time and risk of POF. Of the 89 patients enrolled, 46 patients (51.69%) suffered POF in the first week of HTG-AP. DFPP was initiated at a median of 17 h after the diagnosis was confirmed. The patients in the highest tertile of DTD time had a significantly increased prevalence of POF. After multivariate adjustment, the logistic regression models found a significant decrease in the odds ratios (OR) of POF from the highest to the lowest DTD tertile (P for trend = 0.006). Moreover, the RCS curves showed a nonlinear relationship in the adjusted OR of POF and DTD time, which remained relatively low and flat during the early DTD time but increased sharply afterwards. Early initiation of DFPP treatment correlates with a reduced risk of POF in HTG-AP patients.

Incidence and clinical characteristics of hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis: A retrospective single-center study

BACKGROUND

The incidence of hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) has increased yearly, but updated population-based estimates on the incidence of HTG-AP are lacking. Reducing serum triglyceride (TG) levels quickly is crucial in the early treatment of HTG-AP. Decreased serum TG levels are treated by non-invasive methods, which include anti-lipidemic agents, heparin, low-molecular weight heparin, and insulin, and invasive methods, such as blood purification including hemoperfusion (HP), plasmapheresis, and continuous renal replacement therapy. However, authoritative guidelines have not been established. Early selection of appropriate treatment is important and beneficial in controlling the development of HTG-AP.

AIM

To evaluate the effect between patients treated with intravenous insulin (INS) and HP to guide clinical treatment.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 371 patients with HTG-AP enrolled in the Department of Fujian Provincial Hospital form April 2012 to March 2021. The inpatient medical and radiologic records were reviewed to determine clinical features, severity, complications, mortality, recurrence rate, and treatment. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze risk factors for severe HTG-AP. Propensity score matching was used to compare the clinical outcomes of INS and HP.

RESULTS

A total of 371 patients met the HTG-AP criteria. The incidence of HTG-AP was increased by approximately 2.6 times during the 10 years (8.4% in April 2012-March 2013 and 22.3% in April 2020-March 2021). The highest incidence rate of acute pancreatitis was observed for men in the age group of 30-39 years. The amylase level was elevated in 80.1% of patients but was only three times the normal value in 46.9% of patients. The frequency of severe acute pancreatitis (26.9%), organ failure (31.5%), rate of recurrence (32.9%), and mortality (3.0%) of HTG-AP was high. Improved Marshall score, modified computed tomography severity index score, baseline TG, baseline amylase, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, urea nitrogen, creatinine, calcium, hemoglobin, free triiodothyronine, admission to intensive care unit, and mortality were significantly different between patients with different grades of severity (P < 0.050). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that high CRP [P = 0.005, odds ratio (OR) = 1.011, 95%CI: 1.003-1.019], low calcium (P = 0.003, OR = 0.016, 95%CI: 0.001-0.239), and low albumin (P = 0.023, OR = 0.821, 95%CI: 0.693-0.973) were risk factors of severe HTG-AP. After propensity score matching adjusted by sex, age, severity of HTG-AP, and baseline TG, the serum TG significantly decreased in patients treated with INS (P < 0.000) and HP (P < 0.000) within 48 h. However, the clearance rate of TG (57.24 ± 33.70% vs 56.38 ± 33.61%, P = 0.927) and length of stay (13.04 ± 7.92 d vs 12.35 ± 6.40 d, P = 0.730) did not differ between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of HTG-AP exhibited a significant increase, remarkable severity, and recurrent trend. Patients with mild and moderately severe acute pancreatitis can be treated effectively with INS safely and effectively without HP.

Changes in Water Properties in Human Tissue after Double Filtration Plasmapheresis-A Case Study

Double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) is a blood cleaning technique that enables the removal of unwanted substances from the blood. In our case study, we performed near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy measurements on the human hand tissue before and after a specific DFPP treatment (INUSpheresis with a TKM58 filter), along with NIR measurements of the substances extracted via DFPP (eluate). The spectral data were analyzed using the aquaphotomics approach. The analysis showed that the water properties in the tissue change after DFPP treatment, i.e., an increase in small water clusters, free water molecules and a decrease in hydroxylated water as well as superoxide in hydration shells was noted. The opposite effect was observed in the eluates of both DFPP treatments. Our study is the first that documents changes in water spectral properties after DFPP treatments in human tissue. The changes in tissue water demonstrated by our case study suggest that the positive physiological effects of DFPP in general, and of INUSpheresis with the TKM58 filter in particular, may be associated with improvements in water quality in blood and tissues.

Continuous insulin therapy versus apheresis in patients with hypertriglyceridemia-associated pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment modality for lowering the triglyceride level in patients with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG)-associated acute pancreatitis is unknown. We evaluated the efficacy of continuous insulin infusion and apheresis procedures as triglyceride-lowering therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical, demographic, and laboratory data were retrospectively evaluated for patients with HTG-associated pancreatitis who received continuous insulin infusion or apheresis in a single tertiary center. The endpoints were modality effectiveness and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

The study included 48 patients (mean age, 40.4 ± 9.9 years). Apheresis and insulin infusion were performed in 19 and 29 patients, respectively, in the first 24 h of hospital admission. Apheresis procedures included therapeutic plasma exchange in 10 patients and double filtration plasmapheresis in nine patients. Baseline mean triglyceride level was higher in the apheresis group. The two groups were similar in terms of other baseline clinical and demographic characteristics. Seventeen patients (58.6%) in the insulin group and nine patients (47.4%) in the apheresis group exhibited Balthazar grades D-E. There was a rapid reduction (78.5%) in triglyceride level after the first session of apheresis. Insulin infusion resulted in a 44.4% reduction in mean triglyceride level in the first 24 h. The durations of fasting and hospital stay, and the rates of respiratory failure and hypotension, were similar between groups. More patients in the apheresis group experienced acute renal failure or altered mental status. Prognosis did not significantly differ between groups.

CONCLUSION

Although apheresis treatments are safe and effective, they provided no clear benefit over insulin infusion for HTG-associated pancreatitis.

Delayed diagnosis and treatment of extreme hypertriglyceridemia due to rejection of a lipemic sample

Introduction

Most laboratories routinely determine haemolysis, icterus and lipemia indices to identify lipemic samples and reject potentially affected results. Hypertriglyceridemia is the most common cause of lipemia and severe hypertriglyceridemia (≥ 11.3 mmol/L) is a major risk factor of acute pancreatitis.

Laboratory analysis

A 56-year-old woman attended the outpatient clinic for a follow-up visit 1 month after a kidney transplantation. Her immunosuppressive therapy consisted of corticosteroids, cyclosporine, and mycophenolic acid. The routine clinical chemistry sample was rejected due to extreme lipemia. The comment "extreme lipemic sample" was added on the report, but the requesting physician could not be reached. The Cobas 8000 gave a technical error (absorption > 3.3) for the HIL-indices (L-index: 38.6 mmol/L) which persisted after high-speed centrifugation. The patient was given a new appointment 2 days later. The new sample was also grossly lipemic and gave the same technical error (L-index: 35.9 mmol/L).

What happened

The second sample was manually diluted 20-fold after centrifugation to obtain a result for triglycerides within the measuring range (0.10-50.0 mmol/L). Triglycerides were 169.1 mmol/L, corresponding to very severe hypertriglyceridemia. This result was communicated to the nephrologist and the patient immediately recalled to the hospital. She received therapeutic plasma exchange the next day and did not develop acute pancreatitis.

Main lesson

This case illustrates the delicate balance between avoiding the release of unreliable results due to lipemia and the risk of delayed diagnosis when results are rejected. Providing an estimate of the degree of hypertriglyceridemia might be preferable to rejecting the result.

Effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on efficacy and safety of therapeutic apheresis for severe hypertriglyceridemia

The efficacy and safety of triglyceride (TG) apheresis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is unclear. Diabetic complications may predispose patients to adverse events (AEs) associated with the apheresis procedure, and diabetic dyslipidemia may negatively affect the efficacy of therapeutic apheresis (TA). We investigated the effect of DM on the efficacy and complications of TA. Patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia who underwent apheresis for treatment or for the prevention of acute pancreatitis were included in this retrospective study. Epidemiological data, lipid parameters, and AEs were recorded before and after each therapeutic session. A total of 166 procedures were performed in 27 patients. Group 1 included 17 patients with type 2 DM, and Group 2 included 10 patients without DM. The mean percentage decrease in TG levels (TG%) was higher in Group 1 (71.9% vs 60.6%, P < .001). The TG% was negatively correlated with the duration of DM in Group 1 (r = -.49, P < .001). The total number of TA sessions was 142 in patients who underwent double filtration plasmapheresis and 24 in patients who underwent therapeutic plasma exchange. We observed 9 (5.4%) mild-to-moderate AEs. No intergroup difference was observed in the total number of AEs (P = .06). TA is safe and effective in patients with type 2 DM with severe hypertriglyceridemia.

Management of hypertriglyceridemia

Hypertriglyceridemia is one of the most common lipid abnormalities encountered in clinical practice. Many monogenic disorders causing severe hypertriglyceridemia have been identified, but in most patients triglyceride elevations result from a combination of multiple genetic variations with small effects and environmental factors. Common secondary causes include obesity, uncontrolled diabetes, alcohol misuse, and various commonly used drugs. Correcting these factors and optimizing lifestyle choices, including dietary modification, is important before starting drug treatment. The goal of drug treatment is to reduce the risk of pancreatitis in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia and cardiovascular disease in those with moderate hypertriglyceridemia. This review discusses the various genetic and acquired causes of hypertriglyceridemia, as well as current management strategies. Evidence supporting the different drug and non-drug approaches to treating hypertriglyceridemia is examined, and an easy to adopt step-by-step management strategy is presented.

Anti-lipid therapy and risk factor management for triglyceridaemia-induced acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Pancreatitis secondary to hypertriglyceridaemia is rare, accounting for less than 5% of pancreatitis presentations. We reviewed our institutional experience with triglyceridaemia induced acute pancreatitis to report the clinical presentation, patient demographics and clinical management.

METHODS

The Acute Surgical Unit database at a high-volume general surgical referral centre was queried to identify cases of acute pancreatitis secondary to hypertriglyceridaemia between 2016 and 2019. Patient demographics, clinical manifestations, biochemical derangements and treatment regimens were analysed. Current related literature was reviewed.

RESULTS

There were 496 presentations for acute pancreatitis of which 14 presentations (2.8%), amongst 12 patients were due to hypertriglyceridaemia. The mean triglyceride level at presentation was 92.46 (standard deviation 46.9) mmol/L. Ten patients (83%) had poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. All patients were managed using conservative therapy combined with a restricted fat diet and commenced on long-term anti-lipid therapy to manage associated risk factors. In addition, 10 patients received an insulin infusion and one patient received insulin infusion, plasmapheresis and heparin infusion in combination. The median length of hospital stay was 5.5 (range 3-13) days. Two patients (16%) developed a recurrent episode related to non-compliance to medical therapy.

CONCLUSION

Hypertriglyceridaemia is a rare cause of acute pancreatitis. Successful management involves the treatment of acute pancreatitis in conjunction with long-term anti-lipid therapy and optimisation of associated risk factors.

Conservative management in hypertriglyceridemia-associated pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Severe hypertriglyceridemia (serum triglyceride >10 mmol L^-1 ) is implicated in ~9% of acute pancreatitis cases. Certain guidelines list severe hypertriglyceridemia as an indication for plasmapheresis.

OBJECTIVE

We assembled the natural trajectory of triglyceride levels in patients with acute pancreatitis due to severe hypertriglyceridemia who were managed conservatively without plasmapheresis to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed on 22 hospital admissions for acute pancreatitis episodes considered to be caused by severe hypertriglyceridemia. Patients were managed supportively, with cessation of oral intake (NPO) and intravenous hydration. Insulin infusion was used in 12 patients to manage concurrent hyperglycaemia.

RESULTS

Triglyceride levels for the group were evaluated using a mixed-effects model. The average triglyceride level fell from 45.4 mmol L^-1 on presentation to 13.3 mmol L^-1 within 48 h, corresponding to a mean 69.8% decrease. Regression analysis showed a triglyceride half-life of 30.6 h. Findings were similar for NPO-only and insulin infusion subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia and acute pancreatitis can be conservatively managed safely and effectively without plasmapheresis.

Fibrates in the management of atherogenic dyslipidemia

INTRODUCTION

Significant advancements in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia have recently been achieved. However, a considerable level of residual cardiovascular risk still affects patients' outcomes. Atherogenic dyslipidemia is one of the major constituents of residual risk. Fibrates, PPAR alpha agonists, which modify lipid profile and have numerous pleiotropic effects, seem to be drugs of choice in patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia. These drugs are effective both in monotherapy and combined therapy with statins. Areas covered: A review of clinical trials and experimental studies on fibrates and their use in the treatment of lipid disorders has been performed. Expert commentary: Fibrates are an effective and safe group of drugs to treat patients with atherogenic dyslipidemia. In this particular population of patients, they improve cardiovascular outcomes. Benefits of fibrate treatment extend beyond the impact of lipid profile. Significant improvements in carbohydrate metabolism, adipokines levels, thrombosis and inflammation were also noted.

Case of familial hyperlipoproteinemia type III hypertriglyceridemia induced acute pancreatitis: Role for outpatient apheresis maintenance therapy

Hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis (HTGP) accounts for up to 10% of acute pancreatitis presentations in non-pregnant individuals and is the third most common cause of acute pancreatitis after alcohol and gallstones. There are a number of retrospective studies and case reports that have suggested a role for apheresis and insulin infusion in the acute inpatient setting. We report a case of HTGP in a male with hyperlipoproteinemia type III who was treated successfully with insulin and apheresis on the initial inpatient presentation followed by bi-monthly outpatient maintenance apheresis sessions for the prevention of recurrent HTGP. We also reviewed the literature for the different inpatient and outpatient management modalities of HTGP. Given that there are no guidelines or randomized clinical trials that evaluate the outpatient management of HTGP, this case report may provide insight into a possible role for outpatient apheresis maintenance therapy.

Therapeutic plasmapheresis for hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis: case series and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is the third leading cause of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the United States. The current standard of care includes management of HTG using pharmacological therapy. More recently, plasmapheresis has been proposed as a therapeutic tool for decreasing triglyceride (TG) levels, especially in critically ill patients. Few studies are available to ascertain overall benefits of plasmapheresis over traditional management.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the outcomes of patients treated with plasmapheresis for severe HTG-associated pancreatitis.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of three patients with severe HTG- associated (TGs greater than 1000 mg/dl; 11.29 mmol/l) AP at the Methodist University Hospital. All the patients underwent plasmapheresis as part of their treatment.

RESULTS

The average TG level before plasmapheresis was 3532 mg/dl (range: 2524-4562 mg/dl; 39.9 mmol/l; range: 28.5-51.6 mmol/l). All patients made a full recovery, with a significant improvement in TG levels after plasmapheresis. The mean number of sessions was 1.3 (range 1-2), and mean TG level after plasmapheresis was 1051 mg/dl (range: 509-1771 mg/dl; 11.9 mmol/l; range: 5.8-20 mmol/l). After the first session, the average reduction of TG level was 2481 mg/dl (range 753-3750 mg/dl; 28 mmol/l; range: 8.5-42.4 mmol/l) or approximately 70%. None of the patients developed complications related to plasmapheresis.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasmapheresis can be an effective and rapid treatment option in patients with severe HTG and complications. However, further research, including randomized controlled studies, is necessary.