Use of Drotrecogin Alpha (Recombinant Human Activated Protein C, rhAPC) in the Treatment of Severe Sepsis Induced by Graft Pancreatitis After Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report

Recombinant human activated protein C as a disease modifier in severe acute pancreatitis: systematic review of current evidence

BACKGROUND

The severity of organ failure caused by acute pancreatitis (AP) is the most important determinant of mortality in the disease. Recombinant human activated protein C (Drotrecogin Alfa; Xigris, APC, rhAPC) is the first drug to show a decrease in all-cause mortality due to multiple organ failure caused by sepsis. As the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) that causes organ failure in early AP is similar to that caused by severe sepsis, the use of rhAPC in the management of AP has been investigated in experimental and clinical studies which are collated in this review.

METHODS

A literature review of published material identified from MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, for the period from January 1985 to January 2011, reporting rhAPC usage in AP.

RESULTS

3 of 4 experimental studies reported an improvement in outcome in animals with AP given rhAPC. The clinical randomized trial showed no improvement in outcome in the treatment arm.

CONCLUSION

The experimental evidence of disease amelioration in AP following intervention with rhAPC has not translated to the small clinical RCT. Given that there were only 16 patients in the treatment arm, further clinical evaluation is justified.

Current concepts in the simultaneous transplantation of kidney and pancreas

Diabetes mellitus (DM) represents an enormous health care concern for the United States and other countries. According to the American Diabetes Association in 2007, there were more than 23 million Americans living with diabetes. This is a 13.5% increase from 2005, likely representing increases in Type II DM (DMII). Diabetes mellitus results when the beta cells of the pancreas are unable to produce sufficient insulin to prevent hyperglycemia. Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation, or SPK, may be indicated for patients that have experienced renal failure as a complication of DM (either type I or type II). Until recently, technical failure represented a significant impediment to the success of pancreas transplantation. At the turn of the century, however, both renal and pancreatic graft survival dramatically improved. Immunologic and nonimmunologic causes of graft failure continue to challenge inpatient and outpatient management. With vigilance in the ICU postoperatively and in the clinic, SPK can provide significant benefit both in patient survival and quality of life.

The use of drotrecogin alfa (activated) in solid organ transplant patients: a case series

BACKGROUND

Drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DAA), a recombinant human activated protein C, is indicated for the reduction of mortality in patients with severe sepsis who have a high risk of death. In the initial trial, DAA demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality at 28 days for patients treated with DAA in comparison with standard supportive treatment (placebo). However, solid organ transplant recipients were excluded from the study. Transplant recipients are at an increased risk for sepsis and there is minimal literature describing the safety and efficacy of DAA in the transplant population.

METHODS

Thirteen solid organ transplant recipients who received DAA between November 2001 and January 2004 were included in this case series. Patients were prospectively identified and data collection occurred concurrently and by retrospective chart review. All patients met the DAA use criteria based on the institutional standard protocol.

RESULTS

We report the outcomes of the 13 adult transplant patients who received a total of 14 courses of DAA for severe sepsis. At the time of DAA initiation, all patients required mechanical ventilation, 86% necessitated vasopressor support, and had a median of 3 dysfunctional organs. The median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score at initiation was 30. Overall, hemodynamic stability and APACHE II score improved at the end of DAA infusion. Causes of early discontinuation were bleeding (57%), scheduled procedure (14%), increased international normalized ratio (14%), and death (14%). In-hospital, 28-day, and 1-year mortality was 69%, 62%, and 83%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

DAA appears to be safe with appropriate monitoring. However, transplant recipients had a higher incidence of bleeding events leading to early discontinuation of DAA. Efficacy is difficult to assess without an appropriate control group for comparison.