Efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange in pediatric cases of acute liver failure as an extracorporeal liver support system

Role of therapeutic plasma exchange on survival in pediatric acute liver failure and acute-on chronic liver failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has emerged as a promising treatment option for pediatric liver failure (PLF) either as a standalone therapy or as a bridge to liver transplant; however, its precise impact on survival outcomes has not been investigated systematically to date. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effect of TPE on survival of pediatric patients with liver failure.  METHODS: PubMed, Scopus and Embase databases were searched to include all studies till August 2024 reporting the effect of TPE on survival of acute and acute-on-chronic liver failure patients of age < 18 years. Primary outcome measures were overall survival (OS) and transplant-free survival (TFS) at Day ≥ 28 in pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) and pediatric acute-on-chronic liver failure (pACLF) patients undergoing TPE. The secondary outcome measure was to determine changes in biochemical parameters (international nrmalized ratio [INR], bilirubin and ammonia) pre and post-TPE in them.

RESULTS

Twelve studies (8 = exclusive PALF cohorts and 4 = combined PALF + pACLF cohorts) comprising 310 patients (273 = PALF and 37 = pACLF) who received TPE were included. Pooled OS at Day ≥ 28 for PLF after TPE is 61% (95% CI: 55-66%, p = 0.03, I2 = 49%). The estimated pooled TFS in them was 35% (95% CI: 29-41%, p = < 0.01, I2 = 84%). On sub-group analysis, the standard-volume TPE group had both higher OS and TFS in comparison to the high-volume sub-group. There was a significant improvement in all three biochemical parameters post-TPE compared to pre-TPE values. None of the included studies reported any TPE-related mortality or potentially fatal side effects.

CONCLUSION

TPE shows the potential to improve overall survival in pediatric liver failure, mostly acting as a bridge to liver transplant or native liver recovery. Further, well-designed, adequately powered, randomized-controlled trials are needed to confirm TPE's survival benefit in PLF.

Extracorporeal Blood Purification in European Pediatric Intensive Care Units: A Consensus Statement

Importance

Important advances have been made in extracorporeal blood purification therapies (EBPTs) due to new technologies and biomaterials; however, the lack of established guidelines is a factor in great variability in clinical practice. This aspect is accentuated in pediatric intensive care given the small number of patients with diverse diagnoses treated with EBPT and the technical challenges in treating small children, potentiating the risk of adverse events.

Objective

To understand what experienced users of EBPT think about its relevant issues, insight that may have implications for the design of future studies, and the application of EBPTs in patient care.

Evidence Review

Literature search was conducted using the PubMed and Embase databases between January 1, 2020, and July 15, 2024, and a combination of key medical terms. A panel of experts was formed (composed of 15 authors and pediatric intensivists) to develop a consensus statement using a modified Delphi-based model between 2022 and 2024. The panel's core team drafted the initial questionnaire, which explored EBPT use in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs), including clinical indications for initiating and discontinuing use and outcomes for assessing effectiveness and safety. SurveyMonkey was used in the distribution, completion, and revision of the questionnaire, and findings were analyzed. Panelists were asked to rank answer choices. Numerical value for each ranking was translated to a percentage defining the strength of consensus (>90% agreement from panelists signifying strong consensus; <49% signifying no consensus).

Findings

A total of 116 survey responses were received from panelists from 8 European countries. Strong consensus was achieved on 6 of 24 questions and consensus (75%-90% agreement) was reached on 18 of 24 questions. According to the panelists, the continuous renal replacement therapy standard or enhanced adsorption hemofilter and plasma exchange were of interest, representing the most applied EBPTs across various applications. While evidence on hemoadsorption is growing, it remains limited.

Conclusions and Relevance

This consensus statement on EBPTs in critically ill pediatric patients was developed by an international panel of experts in areas where clinical evidence is still limited. This consensus statement could support pediatric intensivists in bedside decision-making and guide future research on EBPTs in PICUs.

Increasing incidence of mycotoxicosis in South-Eastern Germany: a comprehensive analysis of mushroom poisonings at a University Medical Center

BACKGROUND

Mushrooms, an integral component of human diets, range from esteemed delicacies to potentially lethal toxins. The risk of severe poisoning from misidentified species, poses a significant challenge. For clinicians, recognizing mushroom poisoning amidst nonspecific symptoms and determining the specific mushroom ingested are critical yet complex tasks. Additionally, climate change affects the distribution and proliferation of mushroom species, potentially heightening the risk of exposure to toxic varieties. The identification of mushroom intoxication is critical for appropriate treatment. Poisoning with highly toxic species, such as Amanita phalloides (death cap), can result in acute liver and kidney failure. Considering the limited therapeutic options currently available for acute liver failure, we investigated the application of plasmapheresis, a procedure involving the replacement of the patient's plasma with donor plasma, as a potential intervention to improve clinical outcomes in severe cases of mushroom poisoning.

METHODS

This study aimed to assess the trends and treatment outcomes of mushroom poisoning cases from 2005 to 2022, with a particular focus on the number of incidents and the potential impacts of climate change. We undertook a retrospective monocentric cohort study, evaluating 43 patients with mushroom poisoning. The study focused on identifying the variety of mushrooms involved, including psychotropic, spoiled, inedible, or toxic species, and closely examined patients with elevated transaminases indicative for liver damage. To assess clinical outcomes, we evaluated several aspects, including hepatic encephalopathy and other symptoms. Additionally, we monitored blood analysis results through serial measurements, including transaminases, bilirubin, INR, and creatinine levels. Furthermore, we explored the impact of climate changes on the incidence of mushroom poisoning.

RESULTS

While the incidence of mushroom poisonings remained relatively stable during the first eight years of the study period, it nearly doubled over the past nine years. Nine distinct mushroom types were documented. The study showed no change in season patterns of mushroom poisonings. In cases of severe liver damage accompanied by coagulopathy, plasmapheresis was utilized to replace deficient clotting factors and mitigate the inflammatory response. This intervention proved effective in stabilizing coagulation parameters, such as the international normalized ratio (INR) Plasmapheresis was performed until the INR reached stable levels, preventing the occurrence of severe bleeding complications. In instances where liver failure was deemed irreversible, plasmapheresis functioned as a bridging therapy to manage bleeding risks and to stabilize the patient while awaiting liver transplantation.

CONCLUSION

The findings underscore the need for heightened awareness among healthcare professionals regarding mushroom poisoning and emphasize the importance of considering climate change as a factor that may alter mushroom distribution and toxicity. Additionally, this study highlights the potential of plasmapheresis in managing severe cases.

Liver transplantation for Wilson disease: Current knowledge and future perspectives

Liver transplantation currently represents a therapeutic option for patients with Wilson disease presenting with end-stage liver disease or acute liver failure. Indeed, it has been associated with excellent postoperative survival curves in view of young age at transplant and absence of recurrence. Attention has shifted over the past decades to a wise expansion of indications for liver transplantation. Evidence has emerged supporting the transplantation of carefully selected patients with primarily neuropsychiatric symptoms and compensated cirrhosis. The rationale behind this approach is the potential for surgery to improve copper homeostasis and consequently ameliorate neuropsychiatric symptoms. However, several questions remain unanswered, such as how to establish thresholds for assessing pretransplant neuropsychiatric impairment, how to standardize preoperative neurological assessments, and how to define postoperative outcomes for patients meeting these specific criteria. Furthermore, a disease-specific approach will be proposed both for the liver transplant evaluation of candidates with Wilson disease and for patient care during the transplant waiting period, highlighting the peculiarities of this systemic disease.

Diagnosis and management of pediatric acute liver failure: consensus recommendations of the Indian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ISPGHAN)

Timely diagnosis and management of pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is of paramount importance to improve survival. The Indian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition invited national and international experts to identify and review important management and research questions. These covered the definition, age appropriate stepwise workup for the etiology, non-invasive diagnosis and management of cerebral edema, prognostic scores, criteria for listing for liver transplantation (LT) and bridging therapies in PALF. Statements and recommendations based on evidences assessed using the modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system were developed, deliberated and critically reappraised by circulation. The final consensus recommendations along with relevant published background information are presented here. We expect that these recommendations would be followed by the pediatric and adult medical fraternity to improve the outcomes of PALF patients.

Current Status and Outcomes of Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Pediatric Acute Liver Failure: Results From a Multicenter Retrospective Study Over Two Decades

BACKGROUND

Although the outcomes of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) have improved, patient survival remains lower than in patients with chronic liver disease. We investigated whether the poor outcomes of LDLT for PALF persisted in the contemporary transplant era.

METHODS

We analyzed 193 patients who underwent LDLT between December 2000 and December 2020. The outcomes of patients managed in 2000-2010 (era 1) and 2011-2020 (era 2) were compared.

RESULTS

The median age at the time of LDLT was 1.2 years both eras. An unknown etiology was the major cause in both groups. Patients in era 1 were more likely to have surgical complications, including hepatic artery and biliary complications (p = 0.001 and p = 0.013, respectively). The era had no impact on the infection rate after LDLT (cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and sepsis). The mortality rates of patients and grafts in era one were significantly higher (p = 0.03 and p = 0.047, respectively). The 1- and 5-year survival rates were 76.4% and 70.9%, respectively, in era 1, while they were 88.3% and 81.9% in era 2 (p = 0.042). Rejection was the most common cause of graft loss in both groups. In the multivariate analysis, sepsis during the 30 days after LDLT was independently associated with graft loss (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The survival of patients with PALF has improved in the contemporary transplant era. The early detection and proper management of rejection in patients, while being cautious of sepsis, should be recommended to improve outcomes further.

Review article: Evaluation and care of the critically ill patient with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND

The increase in prevalence of liver disease globally will lead to a substantial incremental burden on intensive care requirements. While liver transplantation offers a potential life-saving intervention, not all patients are eligible due to limitations such as organ availability, resource constraints, ongoing sepsis or multiple organ failures. Consequently, the focus of critical care of patients with advanced and decompensated cirrhosis turns to liver-centric intensive care protocols, to mitigate the high mortality in such patients.

AIM

Provide an updated and comprehensive understanding of cirrhosis management in critical care, and which includes emergency care, secondary organ failure management (mechanical ventilation, renal replacement therapy, haemodynamic support and intensive care nutrition), use of innovative liver support systems, infection control, liver transplantation and palliative and end-of life care.

METHODS

We conducted a structured bibliographic search on PubMed, sourcing articles published up to 31 March 2024, to cover topics addressed. We considered data from observational studies, recommendations of society guidelines, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials, and incorporated our clinical expertise in liver critical care.

RESULTS

Critical care management of the patient with cirrhosis has evolved over time while mortality remains high despite aggressive management with liver transplantation serving as a crucial but not universally available resource.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of organ support therapies, intensive care protocols, nutrition, palliative care and end-of-life discussions and decisions are an integral part of critical care of the patient with cirrhosis. A multi-disciplinary approach towards critical care management is likely to yield better outcomes.