Plasma exchange in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis--a 25-year perspective

Pulmonary embolism and diffuse alveolar bleeding: combination options and therapy features

The analysis of the mechanisms of the formation of a rare clinical combination of pulmonary embolism (PE) and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH), which are complications of systemic vasculitis associated with antibodies to the cytoplasm of neutrophils (primarily granulomatosis with polyangiitis), systemic lupus erythematosus and secondary antiphlogistic syndrome primary antiphospholipid syndrome and Goodpastures syndrome. Taking into account the chronological sequence of the occurrence of PE and DAH, 3 variants of the onset of these potentially fatal additions to the underlying disease were considered: the anticipatory DAH development of PE, delayed from DAH PE and joint (within 24 hours) formation of PE and DAH. A review of single descriptions of such a combination of complications of granulomatosis with polyangiitis is carried out, criteria are indicated, a working classification of severity is given and, taking this into account, a modern program of therapy for DAH as an independent event and in combination with PE.

Therapeutic plasma exchange an emerging treatment modality: A 3-year retrospective analysis of patients admitted in a multispecialty hospital of North India

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is increasingly used throughout the medical field. We aimed to analyze the various aspects of TPE practices at our hospital in terms of clinical indications, technical feasibility, safety, outcome as well as complications associated with the procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The data included demographic profiles, clinical parameters, and technical characteristics of each TPE procedure. All the information was noted in data spread sheet (Microsoft Excel 2013) for further analysis.

RESULTS

This is a 3-year retrospective study of total 266 TPE procedures carried out on 92 patients with different clinical conditions. Out of them, 55 (59.8%) were male and 37 (40.2%) were female patients. There were six major categories such as (1) neurological, (2) hematological, (3) gastrological, (4) renal, (5) rheumatic, and (6) others. The TPE treatment was highest in neurology group (60.2%), followed by gastrology group (24.4%). Most of the procedures (82.6%) were according to the American society of apheresis 2016 I or II categories (76/92 patients).

CONCLUSION

TPE is beneficial and used as primary or secondary adjunctive therapy for a wide spectrum of various diseases and syndromes. TPE is considered as safe, cost-effective, and life-saving treatment modality in various diseases.

Therapeutic plasma exchange: A life-saving modality in Wegener's granulomatosis

We report a case of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) who very well responded to the combination strategy of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and immunosuppression. The patient was a 38-year-old female, diagnosed with severe form of WG. A total of seven cycles was performed with 1.3 total plasma volumes (TPVs) on every alternate day. Standard induction therapy was also started that comprised of a combination of 500 mg intravenous (i.v.) cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone 1 g slow i.v. daily for 3 days followed by oral prednisolone 60 mg daily for 4 weeks. After seven cycles of TPE, the patient improved and hence TPE was stopped.

Efficacy of Rituximab and Plasma Exchange in Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis with Severe Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND

Treatment of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and severe renal involvement is not established. We describe outcomes in response to rituximab (RTX) versus cyclophosphamide (CYC) and plasma exchange (PLEX).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of MPO- or PR3-ANCA-positive patients with AAV (MPA and GPA) and severe kidney disease (eGFR <30 ml/min per 1.73 m²). Remission, relapse, ESKD and death after remission-induction with CYC or RTX, with or without the use of PLEX, were compared.

RESULTS

Of 467 patients with active renal involvement, 251 had severe kidney disease. Patients received CYC (n=161) or RTX (n=64) for remission-induction, and 51 were also treated with PLEX. Predictors for ESKD and/or death at 18 months were eGFR <15 ml/min per 1.73 m² at diagnosis (IRR 3.09 [95% CI 1.49 to 6.40], P=0.002), renal recovery (IRR 0.27 [95% CI 0.12 to 0.64], P=0.003) and renal remission at 6 months (IRR 0.40 [95% CI 0.18 to 0.90], P=0.027). RTX was comparable to CYC in remission-induction (BVAS/WG=0) at 6 months (IRR 1.37 [95% CI 0.91 to 2.08], P=0.132). Addition of PLEX showed no benefit on remission-induction at 6 months (IRR 0.73 [95% CI 0.44 to 1.22], P=0.230), the rate of ESKD and/or death at 18 months (IRR 1.05 [95% CI 0.51 to 2.18], P=0.891), progression to ESKD (IRR 1.06 [95% CI 0.50 to 2.25], P=0.887), and survival at 24 months (IRR 0.54 [95% CI 0.16 to 1.85], P=0.330).

CONCLUSIONS

The apparent benefits and risks of using CYC or RTX for the treatment of patients with AAV and severe kidney disease are balanced. The addition of PLEX to standard remission-induction therapy showed no benefit in our cohort. A randomized controlled trial is the only satisfactory means to evaluate efficacy of remission-induction treatments in AAV with severe renal involvement.

Narrative Review of Hypercoagulability in Small-Vessel Vasculitis

Pauci-immune necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN) is the most common etiology of rapidly progressive GN. Clinical presentation in those afflicted is usually related to rapid loss of kidney function. We report the case of a 70-year-old woman who came to medical attention for signs and symptoms related to lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT). At presentation, the patient had biochemical abnormalities consistent with active GN, which quickly progressed to rapid loss in kidney function requiring renal replacement therapy. Kidney biopsy revealed small-vessel vasculitis with glomerular crescents. Serologic studies were negative for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody antibodies and other causes of acute GN. Plasmapheresis, immunosuppressive, and anticoagulant therapies were prescribed. Absence of other apparent end-organ involvement with vasculitis pointed toward renal-limited small-vessel vasculitis, yet presence of unprovoked DVT argues for systemic vascular inflammation. This case illustrates that venous thrombosis can be the presenting manifestation in patients with vasculitis and silent, severe end-organ involvement. The epidemiology and pathophysiology of venous thromboembolism in small-vessel vasculitis are discussed in this report.

Streptococcal Enzymes as Precision Tools Against Pathogenic IgG Autoantibodies in Small Vessel Vasculitis

In primary systemic small vessel vasculitis autoantibodies are common and seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis. Autoantibodies in vasculitis are preferentially directed against components of the immune system or directly against components of the vessel wall. Plasmapheresis is often applied in emergency situationists when the function of vital organs is jeopardized, the level of clinical evidence to apply such therapy, however, varies between low and non-existing. Plasmapheresis is a blunt and unspecific instrument that requires several sessions to achieve a substantial reduction of autoantibody levels. IdeS and EndoS are two relatively recently discovered enzymes produced by S. pyogenes, that have a remarkable capacity to degrade and disarm IgG. They have shown positive results in several in vivo models of autoimmunity, and treatment with IdeS has successfully been used to inactivate HLA alloantibodies in patients undergoing renal transplantation. Both IdeS and EndoS have the potential to become precision tools to replace plasmapheresis in the treatment of vasculitic emergencies and a clinical trial of IdeS in anti-GBM vasculitis is now ongoing.

Therapeutic apheresis in neurological, nephrological and gastrointestinal diseases

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a process in which plasma containing antibodies, immune complexes, inflammatory moderators, paraproteins and other toxins which are believed to be the cause of disease is removed from a patient. TPE is the first-line treatment (category I, level 1A) in all forms of Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy disease (axonal, demyelinating and miller-fisher variant) as well as in acute myasthenic crisis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and Paraproteinemic neuropathies (category I, level 1B). Moreover, TPE in kidney diseases, for instance: desensitization in renal transplantation(ABO compatible) (living donor)and desensitization in deceased donor, desensitization in renal transplantation(ABO incompatible) (living donor), thrombotic microangiopathy complement Mediated (Factor H autoantibodies), Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis(recurrent in transplanted kidney), ANCA-associated rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis(Dialysis dependence, DAH), Anti-Glomerular basement membrane disease Goodpasture's syndrome)(DAH,Dialysis-independence,) has been utilized as an initial treatment. (category I) TPE has been used as the key therapeutic modality to reduce anti-A or anti-B antibody titers in the liver peri-transplant period with the goal of preventing rejection and facilitating graft survival. Also, plasma exchange is the first-line therapy in Wilson's disease (category I, level1C).

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody associated vasculitides with renal involvement: Open challenges in the remission induction therapy

Renal involvement with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis is a common manifestation of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitides, which is characterized by end-stage renal disease and high mortality rates in untreated and/or late referral patients. The long-term renal survival has improved dramatically since the addition of cyclophosphamide (CYC) and recently of rituximab (RTX) in association with corticosteroids in the remission induction therapeutic regimens. However, renal prognosis remains unfavorable for many patients and the mortality rate is still significantly high. In this review, we analyze the open challenges to be addressed to optimize the induction remission therapy, principally in patients with advanced kidney failure. This concern the first-line therapy (CYC or RTX) based on different parameters (estimated glomerular filtration rate at baseline, new or relapsed disease, ANCA specificity, tissue injury, safety), the role of plasma exchange and the role of new therapies. Indeed, we discuss future perspectives in induction remission therapy by reporting recent advances in new targeted therapies with particular reference to avacopan, an orally administered selective C5a receptor inhibitor.

Long-term outcome of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis treated with plasma exchange: a retrospective, single-centre study

BACKGROUND

Plasma exchange (PLEX) has been used routinely for treatment of severe renal vasculitis and/or alveolar haemorrhage (AH) in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV), but the long-term benefit of PLEX in AAV remains unclear. We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients treated with PLEX in a single centre.

METHODS

Patients with AAV were identified by performing a case review of medical records of 705 patients who received PLEX in a single tertiary referral centre between 2000 and 2010. Patient characteristics and outcomes were recorded. The Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank tests and Cox regression analysis were used for survival analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 94 patients with AAV were identified (44 men, 50 women; median age 60 years, range 21-90 years; 52 proteinase 3-ANCA, 41 myeloperoxidase-ANCA and 1 ANCA-negative; 8 double-positive for ANCA and anti-glomerular basement membrane; 93 newly diagnosed/1 relapse; 55 [58.5 %] required dialysis). The reasons for initiating PLEX therapy were severe renal involvement alone in 52 %, AH in 10 %, both renal involvement and AH in 35 %, and "other" in 3 %. The patients had 3-27 (median 7) PLEX sessions. At 3 months, 81 (86 %) of 94 were alive and 62 (66 %) of 94 were alive and dialysis-independent. The median follow-up was 41 months (minimum-maximum 0.5-137 months), when 56 (59.6 %) of 94 patients were alive and 47 (50 %) were dialysis-independent. The estimated overall survival rates were 75.3 % at 1 year and 61.1 % at 5 years. Patient survival decreased with increasing age at presentation (5-year survival 85 % for age <50 years, 64.4 % for ages 50-65 years, and 41 % for >65 years; p < 0.01 for comparison between all groups). Estimated renal survival rates were 65.5 % at 1 year and 43 % at 5 years. Renal survival was worse in patients aged >65 years than in the younger patients (5-year survival 25.1 % in patients >65 years vs. 50.8 % for those ≤65 years, p < 0.01). The estimated renal survival was better in patients with higher Disease Extent Index (DEI) >6 than in patients with DEI ≤6 (5-year survival 52.1 % vs. 39.4 %, p = 0.04), even though this was not confirmed in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The mortality of patients presenting with severe manifestations of AAV remains high despite the use of PLEX. Older age at presentation is associated with worse overall and renal prognosis.

Older patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis and dialysis dependent renal failure: a retrospective study

Background

ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) with renal involvement is not uncommon in older individuals. Unfortunately, this can be catastrophic requiring hemodialysis (HD) and may lead to end stage renal disease (ESRD). However, more than 50 % of patients with AAV who require HD initially have renal recovery and discontinue HD. The aim of this study was to describe a retrospective cohort of older patients with AAV and severe renal involvement which required hemodialysis.

Methods

Between 1995 and 2013 a total of 30 patients with histologic evidence of pauci-immune glomerulonephritis who required HD were evaluated at a single university center. The association of demographic and clinical parameters with age was assessed. Older age of disease onset was defined as age ≥60 years. The risk of developing ESRD at 3 months was examined using univariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Among 30 patients with AAV who required HD, the mean age of disease onset was 59 ± 17 years (range 22-88 years). Twelve patients were in the older age group, and 18 were in the younger group. Three months after diagnosis, 43 % of the cohort had ESRD with a statistically similar proportion of older (n = 9, 50 %) versus younger (n = 4, 33 %) patients (p = 0.367). Most patients (93 %) received immunosuppressive therapy. There was not a statistically significant association between age and ESRD.

Conclusions

These data suggest that age alone does not predict renal recovery among individuals on HD due to AAV. Renal recovery is a realistic expectation and outcome, if patients are treated, even among older patients with AAV who require HD initially.