Double filtration plasmapheresis in treatment of acute pancreatitis associated with severe hypertriglyceridemia: Three case reports

Successful Treatment of Severe Case of Lipid Overload Syndrome with Pancreatitis and Pneumonia: A Case Report

Background

Fat overload syndrome is a rare and severe adverse reaction triggered by the infusion of a single source of lipid emulsion, resulting in elevated blood triacylglycerol (TG) levels. The majority of literature reports focus on cases of fat overload syndrome in patients with mild symptoms. This case is significant because it demonstrates the diagnostic and therapeutic experience and provide valuable insights for the management for severe fat overload syndrome.

Case Presentation

We present a case report of a female patient who developed fat overload syndrome following prolonged and excessive infusion of lipid emulsion after colon resection surgery. In the setting of compromised immune function and malnutrition, the patient's pulmonary infection and respiratory distress symptoms have further exacerbated. Hence, in addition to severe pancreatitis, the patient has also contracted severe pneumonia. Upon admission, tracheal intubation, plasma exchange and blood perfusion were performed. Subsequently, comprehensive treatment was provided, including anti-infection, antispasmodic, acid suppression, enzyme inhibition, as well as targeted supportive measures to stabilize electrolytes and nutritional status. After treatment, there was a progressive reduction in blood lipid levels. After assessing the relevant risks, it was deemed necessary to perform an emergency computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous drainage tube placement procedure targeting the necrotic area of the pancreas while the patient was still intubated. Finally, the patient was discharged from the hospital.

Conclusion

The case highlights the association between fat overload syndrome and pancreatitis as well as the use of lipid emulsions and suggests the treatment strategies for severe fat overload syndrome.

Comparison of different intensive triglyceride-lowering therapies in patients with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to investigate the clinical value of emergent triglyceride (TG)-lowering therapies for hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP).

METHODS

126 HLAP patients were assigned randomly to receive either conventional treatment (CT), normal saline (NS) alone, or continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) as an intensive TG-lowering therapy. TG levels, clinical outcomes, and inflammatory biomarkers were compared among the three groups.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly among the groups. CVVH removed TG from the plasma and achieved its target TG (<500 mg/dL) in approximately 25 h, compared to 40 h in the NS alone group and no targeted effect within 48 h in the CT group (P < 0.05). Although the majority of clinical outcomes did not differ significantly, an unexpectedly higher incidence of organ failure occurred in the CVVH group compared to the others. Hospital costs, severe AP patients and length of stay were significantly higher in the CVVH group compared to the other groups (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Early CVVH lowers TG levels more efficiently than NS alone or CT therapy, but is not superior in terms of clinical outcomes and costs. NS also lowers TG levels and is significantly less costly than the other two treatments. Further multicenter studies are needed to determine the feasibility of NS alone treatment for HLAP patients.

Evaluating the efficacy and timing of blood purification modalities in early-stage hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis treatment

Hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) is characterized by a violent cytokine storm-driven inflammation and is associated with a predisposition to severe disease. The treatment strategy for HTG-AP consists mainly of conventional symptomatic and lipid-lowering treatments. For early-stage HTG-AP, blood purification (BP) can rapidly and effectively reduce serum triglyceride and inflammatory cytokine levels, block the development of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and improve patient outcomes. Currently, the primary modalities for BP in patients with HTG-AP include plasma exchange, hemoperfusion, and hemofiltration. When using BP to treat patients with HTG-AP, a comprehensive analysis incorporating the elevated lipid levels and severity of the patient's condition contributes to the selection of different treatment modes. Moreover, the timing of the treatment is also imperative. Early intervention is associated with a better prognosis for patients with HTG-AP requiring lipid-lowering treatment.

EFFICACY OF DOUBLE FILTRATION PLASMAPHERESIS TREATMENT IN ACUTE PANCREATITIS ASSOCIATED WITH SEVERE HYPERTRIGLYCERIDEMIA

Background and aim

Hypertriglyceridemia is one of the leading causes of acute pancreatitis and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Today the recommended treatment options are fasting, hydration, if necessary antibiotics and there is not a standard recommendation to decrease triglycerides rapidly. Double Fıltratıon Plasmapheresis (DFPP) may be an option to decrease triglycerides rapidly but its effect on the disease course is unknown.

Method

In the present study, we present results of four acute pancreatitis cases associated with hypertriglyceridemia treated with DFPP. All of the patients were diagnosed as acute pancreatitis at emergency room and no complications were observed in sessions. A 76.3% reduction in triglyceride levels was observed in one or two treatment sessions.

Results and conclusion

DFPP is an effective and safe option to decrease triglyceride levels rapidly but further research is needed to show the effect on mortality and morbidity.

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.

The effects of continuous renal replacement therapy with different anticoagulation methods on the expression of cytokines in severe acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a highly morbid condition in general population as well as in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with different anticoagulation methods on the expression levels of cytokines in SAP.

METHODS

A total of 120 patients with SAP, admitted into our hospital between September 2017 and July 2020, were enrolled as the research subjects and randomly divided into a control group (60 cases) and a study group (60 cases). CRRT with low molecular weight (LMW) heparin‑calcium anticoagulation was conducted on patients in the control group, and CRRT with topical citrate + low-dose LMW heparin‑calcium anticoagulation was conducted on patients in the study group. The expressions of cytokines in the two groups were compared after treatment.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in white blood cells (WBC), C-reactive proteins (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) before treatment between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the levels of WBC (P = 0.006), CRP (P < 0.001), and PCT (P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the study group when compared with those in the control group. There was no significant difference in the concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were significantly lower in the study group when compared with those in the control group. The APACHEII, SOFA and Ranson scores of the two groups were analyzed, and there was no difference between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the score of the study group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CRRT with topical citrate + low-dose LMW heparin‑calcium anticoagulation in the treatment of patients with SAP reduces the levels of WBC, CRP, and PCT and the concentrations of cytokines, including IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α. This inhibits the release of inflammatory mediators in patients with SAP and reduces damage to the body caused by the inflammatory response, thus effectively improving the patients' condition.

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.

The role of double filtration plasmapheresis in hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis: A propensity score matching analysis

INTRODUCTION

The role of double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) in hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis (HTGP) is still not well established. Our study aimed to investigate the efficacy of DFPP in reducing triglyceride levels as well as their effects on the outcomes of HTGP.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the data of patients with HTGP presenting within 72 hours from symptom onset between January 2016 and February 2019. Patients with DFPP treatment were compared with those without DFPP treatment. We used a propensity score matching analysis to reduce confounding factors.

RESULTS

Of the 249 patients enrolled, 88 (35.3%) were treated with DFPP. The DFPP was initiated at a median of 7.7 hours from the time of presentation. In the propensity score-matched cohort (n = 100), patients with DFPP had a significantly lower level of triglyceride (P = .034), higher triglyceride reduction (P = .005), and the proportion of triglyceride <5.65 mmol/L (P = .002) by 24 hours after admission when compared with those without DFPP. However, this efficacy did not last until 48 hours after admission. No differences were found in terms of the majority of the clinical outcomes between the two groups, including persistent organ failure (P = .098), local complications (P = .213), hospital stay (P = .657), and in-hospital mortality (P > .999).

CONCLUSIONS

HTGP patients with early initiation of DFPP were associated with rapidly and efficiently reduction of triglyceride levels compared with those without DFPP. However, DFPP showed no beneficial effects on improving the clinical outcomes of HTGP.