A case series of the successful use of ECMO, continuous renal replacement therapy, and plasma exchange for thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure

Thrombocytopenia Independently Leads to Changes in Monocyte Immune Function

BACKGROUND

While platelets have well-studied hemostatic functions, platelets are immune cells that circulate at the interface between the vascular wall and white blood cells. The physiological implications of these constant transient interactions are poorly understood. Activated platelets induce and amplify immune responses, but platelets may also maintain immune homeostasis in healthy conditions, including maintaining vascular integrity and T helper cell differentiation, meaning that platelets are central to both immune responses and immune quiescence. Clinical data have shown an association between low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) and immune dysfunction in patients with sepsis and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, further implicating platelets as more holistic immune regulators, but studies of platelet immune functions in nondisease contexts have had limited study.

METHODS

We used in vivo models of thrombocytopenia and in vitro models of platelet and monocyte interactions, as well as RNA-seq and ATAC-seq (assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing), to mechanistically determine how resting platelet and monocyte interactions immune program monocytes.

RESULTS

Circulating platelets and monocytes interact in a CD47-dependent manner to regulate monocyte metabolism, histone methylation, and gene expression. Resting platelet-monocyte interactions limit TLR (toll-like receptor) signaling responses in healthy conditions in an innate immune training-like manner. In both human patients with sepsis and mouse sepsis models, thrombocytopenia exacerbated monocyte immune dysfunction, including increased cytokine production.

CONCLUSIONS

Thrombocytopenia immune programs monocytes in a manner that may lead to immune dysfunction in the context of sepsis. This is the first demonstration that sterile, endogenous cell interactions between resting platelets and monocytes regulate monocyte metabolism and pathogen responses, demonstrating platelets to be immune rheostats in both health and disease.

Thrombocytopenia Independently Leads to Monocyte Immune Dysfunction

In addition to their well-studied hemostatic functions, platelets are immune cells. Platelets circulate at the interface between the vascular wall and leukocytes, and transient platelet-leukocyte complexes are found in both healthy and disease states, positioning platelets to provide physiologic cues of vascular health and injury. Roles for activated platelets in inducing and amplifying immune responses have received an increasing amount of research attention, but our past studies also showed that normal platelet counts are needed in healthy conditions to maintain immune homeostasis. We have now found that thrombocytopenia (a low platelet count) leads to monocyte dysfunction, independent of the cause of thrombocytopenia, in a manner that is dependent on direct platelet-monocyte CD47 interactions that regulate monocyte immunometabolism and gene expression. Compared to monocytes from mice with normal platelet counts, monocytes from thrombocytopenic mice had increased toll-like receptor (TLR) responses, including increased IL-6 production. Furthermore, ex vivo co-incubation of resting platelets with platelet naïve bone marrow monocytes, induced monocyte metabolic programming and durable changes in TLR agonist responses. Assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-Seq) on monocytes from thrombocytopenic mice showed persistently open chromatin at LPS response genes and resting platelet interactions with monocytes induced histone methylation in a CD47 dependent manner. Using mouse models of thrombocytopenia and sepsis, normal platelet numbers were needed to limit monocyte immune dysregulation and IL6 expression in monocytes from human patients with sepsis also inversely correlated with patient platelet counts. Our studies demonstrate that in healthy conditions, resting platelets maintain monocyte immune tolerance by regulating monocyte immunometabolic processes that lead to epigenetic changes in TLR-related genes. This is also the first demonstration of sterile cell interactions that regulate of innate immune-metabolism and monocyte pathogen responses.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in Children: Outcome Review of a Multicenter National Database

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a triad of hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. In critically ill children with HUS, extrarenal manifestations may require intensive care unit admission and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Outcomes specific to HUS and ECMO in children have not been well investigated. The primary aim of this project was to query a multicenter database to identify risk factors associated with mortality in HUS patients supported on ECMO. A secondary aim was to identify factors associated with ECMO utilization in children with HUS. Utilizing the Pediatric Health Information System database (January 2004 and September 2018), this retrospective, multicenter cohort study identified the index HUS hospitalization among children aged 0 to 18 years. Univariate analysis was used to compare demographics, clinical characteristics, and procedures to identify risk factors associated with adverse outcomes. Among 4,144 subjects, 37 were supported on ECMO. Survival for those on ECMO support was 54%. Among nonsurvivors, 59% of deaths occurred within 14 days of hospitalization. The mean hospital LOS was 15.9 days in nonsurvivors versus 53.9 days for survivors (p < 0.001). When comparing subjects supported on ECMO to those who were not, patients with ECMO support had statistically longer hospital LOS and higher rates of extrarenal involvement (p < 0.001). This study found a mortality rate of 46% among HUS patients requiring ECMO. The investigated clinical risk factors were not associated with mortality among the ECMO population. The study identifies risk factors associated with ECMO utilization in children with HUS.

Therapeutic plasma exchange in the intensive care unit: Rationale, special considerations, and techniques for combined circuits

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an extracorporeal blood purification technique with proven efficacy in a variety of conditions, including in the intensive care setting. It is not uncommon for a critically ill patient to require more than one extracorporeal procedure in addition to TPE. This review focuses on the combination of TPE with other extracorporeal circuits in a critical care setting via a single vascular access (either in-series, parallel, or a hybrid mode) which is often referred to as performing procedures "in tandem." Authors performed literature review via pubmed.gov using search terms: plasma exchange, plasmapheresis, apheresis, tandem circuits, combined circuits, critical care, ICU, CRRT, hemodialysis, and ECMO. Thirty-eight English-language, peer-reviewed papers were appraised that satisfied the content of this review on techniques for combining circuits with plasma exchange, as well as describing the advantages of tandem procedures and potential complications that can arise. Performing these procedures simultaneously can be advantageous in reducing total procedure and staffing time, avoiding placement of additional central lines, reducing overall need for anticoagulation, and limiting multiple blood primes in certain populations. However, the described combined circuits are complex, associated with higher complications, and require a skilled team to understand and mitigate the potential complications associated with these combined procedures.

Type I IFN signaling limits hemorrhage-like disease after infection with Japanese encephalitis virus through modulating a prerequisite infection of CD11b+Ly-6C+ monocytes

Background

The crucial role of type I interferon (IFN-I, IFN-α/β) is well known to control central nervous system (CNS) neuroinflammation caused by neurotrophic flaviviruses such as Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and West Nile virus. However, an in-depth analysis of IFN-I signal-dependent cellular factors that govern CNS-restricted tropism in JEV infection in vivo remains to be elucidated.

Methods

Viral dissemination, tissue tropism, and cytokine production were examined in IFN-I signal-competent and -incompetent mice after JEV inoculation in tissues distal from the CNS such as the footpad. Bone marrow (BM) chimeric models were used for defining hematopoietic and tissue-resident cells in viral dissemination and tissue tropism.

Results

The paradoxical and interesting finding was that IFN-I signaling was essentially required for CNS neuroinflammation following JEV inoculation in distal footpad tissue. IFN-I signal-competent mice died after a prolonged neurological illness, but IFN-I signal-incompetent mice all succumbed without neurological signs. Rather, IFN-I signal-incompetent mice developed hemorrhage-like disease as evidenced by thrombocytopenia, functional injury of the liver and kidney, increased vascular leakage, and excessive cytokine production. This hemorrhage-like disease was closely associated with quick viral dissemination and impaired IFN-I innate responses before invasion of JEV into the CNS. Using bone marrow (BM) chimeric models, we found that intrinsic IFN-I signaling in tissue-resident cells in peripheral organs played a major role in inducing the hemorrhage-like disease because IFN-I signal-incompetent recipients of BM cells from IFN-I signal-competent mice showed enhanced viral dissemination, uncontrolled cytokine production, and increased vascular leakage. IFN-I signal-deficient hepatocytes and enterocytes were permissive to JEV replication with impaired induction of antiviral IFN-stimulated genes, and neuron cells derived from both IFN-I signal-competent and -incompetent mice were vulnerable to JEV replication. Finally, circulating CD11b⁺Ly-6C⁺ monocytes infiltrated into the distal tissues inoculated by JEV participated in quick viral dissemination to peripheral organs of IFN-I signal-incompetent mice at an early stage.

Conclusion

An IFN-I signal-dependent model is proposed to demonstrate how CD11b⁺Ly-6C⁺ monocytes are involved in restricting the tissue tropism of JEV to the CNS.

Tandem plasmapheresis and continuous kidney replacement treatment in pediatric patients

BACKGROUND

The objectives of the study are to describe tandem therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) patients' outcomes in a large institution.

METHODS

We reviewed pediatric patients receiving tandem TPE and CKRT from 2013 to 2016. Over the study period, 63 discrete patients received tandem TPE and CKRT for a total of 378 TPE procedures on 1676 days on CKRT.

RESULTS

Patient age ranged from newborn to 19 years old with weights ranging from 2.31 to 112.3 kg (17 patients were < 10 kg and less than 1 year old). All procedures were completed in intensive care units (ICU) as CKRT can only be done in this environment. All treatments completed successfully; majority of patients (90%) developed hypocalcemia though none were symptomatic. Case mortality rate was 40%. Disease severity scores at ICU admission were higher and time to TPE and CKRT start was longer in the deceased group.

CONCLUSIONS

As a conclusion, though complications including hypocalcemia are common with tandem TPE and CKRT in pediatrics, patients remained asymptomatic. Such treatments have to be carefully planned with interdisciplinary teams to address indications, technicalities, and complications.

The use of therapeutic plasma exchange for pediatric patients supported on extracorporeal membranous oxygenator therapy: A narrative review

Therapeutic plasma exchange in children is increasingly recognized as a life-saving treatment and is challenged by some technical considerations. As extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been used for nearly half a century for refractory reversible respiratory and/or cardiac failure in both pediatric and adult populations, it may serve as an extracorporeal platform for therapeutic plasma exchange. It is most commonly described in patients with sepsis with multiple organ failure or thrombocytopenia associated multi organ failure. Additional pathophysiological processes of inflammatory and immunological storms might benefit from the combination of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and plasma exchange. This is a nonmethodological review of English-language reports of therapeutic plasma exchange performed in patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, both pediatric and adult, searching six databases, MEDLINE, Clinical Key, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, CINAHL, Cochrane library, and EMBASE.

Extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation and Eculizumab: Atypical treatments for typical haemolytic uraemic syndrome

A 19-year-old female with no medical history presented with bloody diarrhoea. Investigations revealed an acute kidney injury, thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic haemolysis. A diagnosis of haemolytic uraemic syndrome secondary to Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli 055 was confirmed and supportive therapy commenced in the intensive therapy unit. On day 11 of her admission, she rapidly deteriorated with evidence of refractory cardiogenic shock and neurological involvement, both features associated with a poor prognosis. Cross-specialty collaboration prompted a trial of veno-arterial extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation and Eculizumab, a complement inhibitor normally reserved for atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome, as a bridge to organ recovery. To our knowledge, herein we present the first adult patient with haemolytic uraemic syndrome induced cardiogenic shock successfully supported to cardiac recovery with extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation. The potential role for Eculizumab in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli/typical haemolytic uraemic syndrome is also discussed.

A Multicenter Network Assessment of Three Inflammation Phenotypes in Pediatric Sepsis-Induced Multiple Organ Failure

OBJECTIVES

Ongoing adult sepsis clinical trials are assessing therapies that target three inflammation phenotypes including 1) immunoparalysis associated, 2) thrombotic microangiopathy driven thrombocytopenia associated, and 3) sequential liver failure associated multiple organ failure. These three phenotypes have not been assessed in the pediatric multicenter setting. We tested the hypothesis that these phenotypes are associated with increased macrophage activation syndrome and mortality in pediatric sepsis.

DESIGN

Prospective severe sepsis cohort study comparing children with multiple organ failure and any of these phenotypes to children with multiple organ failure without these phenotypes and children with single organ failure.

SETTING

Nine PICUs in the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development Collaborative Pediatric Critical Care Research Network.

PATIENTS

Children with severe sepsis and indwelling arterial or central venous catheters.

INTERVENTIONS

Clinical data collection and twice weekly blood sampling until PICU day 28 or discharge.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Of 401 severe sepsis cases enrolled, 112 (28%) developed single organ failure (0% macrophage activation syndrome 0/112; < 1% mortality 1/112), whereas 289 (72%) developed multiple organ failure (9% macrophage activation syndrome 24/289; 15% mortality 43/289). Overall mortality was higher in children with multiple organ and the phenotypes (24/101 vs 20/300; relative risk, 3.56; 95% CI, 2.06-6.17). Compared to the 188 multiple organ failure patients without these inflammation phenotypes, the 101 multiple organ failure patients with these phenotypes had both increased macrophage activation syndrome (19% vs 3%; relative risk, 7.07; 95% CI, 2.72-18.38) and mortality (24% vs 10%; relative risk, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.35-4.08).

CONCLUSIONS

These three inflammation phenotypes were associated with increased macrophage activation syndrome and mortality in pediatric sepsis-induced multiple organ failure. This study provides an impetus and essential baseline data for planning multicenter clinical trials targeting these inflammation phenotypes in children.

Outcomes of Day 1 Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in the PICU

OBJECTIVES

We sought to describe current outcomes of Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome present on day 1 of PICU admission.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational cohort study.

SETTING

Virtual Pediatric Systems, LLC, database admissions, January 2014 and December 2015.

PATIENTS

We analyzed 194,017 consecutive PICU admissions, (age 1 mo to 18 yr) from the 2014-2015 Virtual Pediatric Systems database.

INTERVENTIONS

We identified day 1 Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome by International Pediatric Sepsis Consensus Conference criteria with day 1 laboratory and vital sign values. Functional status was evaluated by Pediatric Overall Performance Category and Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category scores from PICU admission and discharge.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Overall, PICU mortality was 2.1%. We identified day 1 Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in 14.4% of admissions. Patients with Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome had higher mortality than those without Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (10.3% vs 0.7%; p < 0.0001), and a higher percentage of survivors had greater than or equal to 2 category worsening in Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category score (3.6% vs 0.5%; p < 0.0001) or Pediatric Overall Performance Category score (6.0% vs 1.8%; p < 0.0001). The odds of death with day 1 Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome was 14.3 (95% CI, 13-15.7), while the odds of death or discharge with Pediatric Overall Performance Category/Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category score greater than or equal to 3 (poor functional outcome) was 6.7 (95% CI, 6-7.4). In a subset of 148,188 patients from hospitals where limitation of support decisions were recorded, 5.8% patients with Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome had limitation of support decisions in place, compared with 0.8% of patients without Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (p < 0.0001). Of day 1 Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome patients who died, 43.1% had limitation of support decisions in place, and 41.6% had withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome present on day 1 of admission continues to be a major source of morbidity and mortality in the PICU, but risk of poor neurologic outcome may be improved. Further research is needed to understand decisions regarding limitation of support and withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy decisions in patients admitted with day 1 Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome.

Coagulation and Bleeding Management in Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Clinical Scenarios and Review

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving procedure that requires careful coagulation management. Indications for ECMO continue to expand, leading to more complicated patients treated by ECMO teams. At our pediatric institution, we utilize a Coagulation Team to guide anticoagulation, transfusion and hemostasis management in an effort to avoid the all-to-common complications of bleeding and thrombosis. This team formulates a coagulation plan in conjunction with a multidisciplinary ECMO team after careful review of all available laboratory data as well as the patient's clinical status. Here, we present our general strategies for ECMO management in various clinical scenarios and a review of the literature pertaining to coagulation management in the pediatric ECMO setting.

Thrombocytopenia-associated multiple-organ failure (TAMOF): recognition and management

Thrombocytopenia-associated multiple-organ failure (TAMOF) is an increasingly fatal phenomenon that may be associated with sepsis. TAMOF results from immune dysregulation and impaired activity of A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase with ThromboSpondin type 1 motif, member 13. Early recognition of this premorbid condition and specific management results in a significantly improved outcome. Herein, we report the presentation and management of a 2-year-old child with TAMOF who was successfully treated with plasma exchange and recovered without long-term sequelae.

HUS-induced cardiac and circulatory failure is reversible using cardiopulmonary bypass as rescue

BACKGROUND

Extra-renal involvement in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) includes gastrointestinal, pancreatic, hepatic, neurological and cardiac manifestations. The current 3-5% mortality rate in HUS patients is primarily attributed to complications related to the central nervous system and the heart. In this brief report, we illustrate that severe cardiac involvement in a patient with HUS is potentially reversible using cardiopulmonary bypass as rescue.

CASE-DIAGNOSIS/TREATMENT

A 12-year-old boy was diagnosed with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli-induced HUS related to E. coli serotypes O55:H7 and O121:H19. The patient developed anuria and hypertension of 150/105 mmHg and had neurological symptoms, with lethargy, confusion and later a tonic-clonic seizure successfully treated with midazolam. Laboratory tests on blood samples revealed acute renal failure, with a creatinine level of 3.98 mg/dL, thrombocytopenia of 47 × 10⁹/L, lactate dehydrogenase level of 3620 IU/L, low haptoglobin (<20 mg/dL), anemia (10.0 g/dL) and schistocytes on blood smears. Peritoneal dialysis was initiated without complications. Serum potassium level was normal. At day 3, the patient suffered cardiac arrest on two separate occasions. Troponin-T, creatine kinase and creatine kinase-MB levels were significantly increased. The second episode of cardiac arrest could not be reversed with advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and a cardiopulmonary bypass circuit was established. Declining cardiac pump function to a near non-contractile state with an ejection fraction of <10% was observed on echocardiography. This persisted during the following days. After the patient had been on the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit for 7 days, the myocardium slowly recovered function. Three days later, the CPB was successfully discontinued; the echocardiography showed near-normal ejection fraction, and electrocardiography (ECG) showed sinus rhythm.

CONCLUSIONS

Fatal outcome in patients with HUS may be the result of severe cardiac involvement. The present case illustrates the need for intensive supportive care, including the use of CPB, as the cardiac symptoms in HUS patients may be reversible. We suggest the monitoring of cardiac-specific enzymes, ECG and echocardiography in high-risk patients.

American College of Critical Care Medicine Clinical Practice Parameters for Hemodynamic Support of Pediatric and Neonatal Septic Shock

OBJECTIVES

The American College of Critical Care Medicine provided 2002 and 2007 guidelines for hemodynamic support of newborn and pediatric septic shock. Provide the 2014 update of the 2007 American College of Critical Care Medicine "Clinical Guidelines for Hemodynamic Support of Neonates and Children with Septic Shock."

DESIGN

Society of Critical Care Medicine members were identified from general solicitation at Society of Critical Care Medicine Educational and Scientific Symposia (2006-2014). The PubMed/Medline/Embase literature (2006-14) was searched by the Society of Critical Care Medicine librarian using the keywords: sepsis, septicemia, septic shock, endotoxemia, persistent pulmonary hypertension, nitric oxide, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and American College of Critical Care Medicine guidelines in the newborn and pediatric age groups.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The 2002 and 2007 guidelines were widely disseminated, translated into Spanish and Portuguese, and incorporated into Society of Critical Care Medicine and American Heart Association/Pediatric Advanced Life Support sanctioned recommendations. The review of new literature highlights two tertiary pediatric centers that implemented quality improvement initiatives to improve early septic shock recognition and first-hour compliance to these guidelines. Improved compliance reduced hospital mortality from 4% to 2%. Analysis of Global Sepsis Initiative data in resource rich developed and developing nations further showed improved hospital mortality with compliance to first-hour and stabilization guideline recommendations.

CONCLUSIONS

The major new recommendation in the 2014 update is consideration of institution-specific use of 1) a "recognition bundle" containing a trigger tool for rapid identification of patients with septic shock, 2) a "resuscitation and stabilization bundle" to help adherence to best practice principles, and 3) a "performance bundle" to identify and overcome perceived barriers to the pursuit of best practice principles.

Review of 1,000 consecutive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation runs as a quality initiative

BACKGROUND

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is a resource-intensive mode of life-support potentially applicable when conventional therapies fail. Given the initial success of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation to support neonates and infants in the 1980s, indications have expanded to include adolescents, adults, and selected moribund patients during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This single-institution analysis was conducted to evaluate programmatic growth, outcomes, and risk for death despite extracorporeal membrane oxygenation across all ages and diseases.

METHODS

Beginning in 1989, we registered prospectively all extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patient data with the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization. We queried this registry for our institution-specific data to compare the parameter of "discharge alive" between age groups (neonatal, pediatric, adult), disease groups (respiratory, cardiac, cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and modes of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (veno-venous; veno-arterial). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-specific complications (mechanical, hemorrhagic, neurologic, renal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, infectious, metabolic) were analyzed similarly. Descriptive statistics, Kaplan-Meier, and linear regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

After 1,052 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation runs, indications have expanded to include adults, to supplement cardiopulmonary resuscitation, to support hemodialysis in neonates and plasmapheresis in children, and to bridge all age patients to heart and lung transplant. Overall survival to discharge was 52% and was better for respiratory diseases (P < .001). Probability of individual survival decreased to <50% if pre-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation mechanical ventilation exceeded respectively 123 hours for cardiac, 166 hours for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and 183 hours for respiratory diseases (P = .013). Complications occurred most commonly among cardiac and cardiopulmonary resuscitation runs (P < .001), the veno-arterial mode (P < .001), and in adults (P = .044).

CONCLUSION

Our extracorporeal membrane oxygenation program, an Extracorporeal Life Support Organization-designated Center of Excellence, has experienced substantial growth in volume and indications, including increasing age and disease severity. Considering the entire cohort, pre-extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ventilation exceeding 7 days was associated with an increased probability of death.

Therapeutic plasma exchange may improve hemodynamics and organ failure among children with sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome receiving extracorporeal life support

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of therapeutic plasma exchange on hemodynamics, organ failure, and survival in children with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome due to sepsis requiring extracorporeal life support.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis.

SETTING

A PICU in an academic children's hospital.

PATIENTS

Fourteen consecutive children with sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome who received therapeutic plasma exchange while on extracorporeal life support from 2005 to 2013.

INTERVENTIONS

Median of three cycles of therapeutic plasma exchange with median of 1.0 times the estimated plasma volume per exchange.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Organ Failure Index and Vasoactive-Inotropic Score were measured before and after therapeutic plasma exchange use. PICU survival in our cohort was 71.4%. Organ Failure Index decreased in patients following therapeutic plasma exchange (mean ± SD: pre, 4.1 ± 0.7 vs post, 2.9 ± 0.9; p = 0.0004). Patients showed improved Vasoactive-Inotropic Score following therapeutic plasma exchange (median [25th-75th]: pre, 24.5 [13.0-69.8] vs post, 5.0 [1.5-7.0]; p = 0.0002). Among all patients, the change in Organ Failure Index was greater for early therapeutic plasma exchange use than late use (early, -1.7 ± 1.2 vs late, -0.9 ± 0.6; p = 0.14), similar to the change in Vasoactive-Inotropic Score (early, -67.5 [28.0-171.2] vs late, -12.0 [7.2-18.5]; p = 0.02). Among survivors, the change in Organ Failure Index was greater among early therapeutic plasma exchange use than late use (early, -2.3 ± 1.0 vs late, -0.8 ± 0.8; p = 0.03), as was the change in Vasoactive-Inotropic Score (early, -42.0 [16.0-76.3] vs late, -12.0 [5.3-29.0]; p = 0.17). The mean duration of extracorporeal life support after therapeutic plasma exchange according to timing of therapeutic plasma exchange was not statistically different among all patients or among survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of therapeutic plasma exchange in children on extracorporeal life support with sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome is associated with organ failure recovery and improved hemodynamic status. Initiating therapeutic plasma exchange early in the hospital course was associated with greater improvement in organ dysfunction and decreased requirement for vasoactive and/or inotropic agents.