Treatment of Severe Hypertriglyceridemia With Insulin Infusions in Severe COVID-19: A Case Series

COVID-19-Induced Hypertriglyceridemia Leading to Pancreatitis in a 51-Year-Old Female

There are increasing reports of the effects of COVID-19 on the pancreas. Pancreatitis, as a result of hypertriglyceridemia, has also been reported. Hypothesized mechanisms include hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) syndrome and acquired lipoprotein lipase (LPL) inhibitors. We present a 51-year-old female patient who presented with nausea, vomiting, and epigastric abdominal pain radiating to the back. On examination, she had generalized abdominal tenderness without guarding or rebound tenderness. Our workup revealed elevated lipase of 1150 units/L, triglycerides (TG) of 11340 mg/dL, and mild pancreatitis on an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. On day 2, she developed a new oxygen requirement and tested positive for COVID-19. She was treated with fluids and opiates for pancreatitis, plasmapheresis, and an insulin infusion to treat her hypertriglyceridemia. She was treated with remdesivir for an acute COVID-19 infection. Triglycerides decreased to <500 mg/dL with treatment, and she was discharged home on oral lipid-lowering agents. By discussing this case, we aim to shed light on the association between COVID-19 and hypertriglyceridemia, which can further lead to life-threatening complications such as acute pancreatitis. Further studies are needed to identify the exact mechanisms, preventive measures, and long-term effects of COVID-19 on triglycerides and the pancreas.

COVID-19-associated hypertriglyceridemia and impact of treatment

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated hypertriglyceridemia was observed among patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU) in Qatar. This study aimed to describe COVID-19-associated-hypertriglyceridemia in ICU patients and the impact of treating hypertriglyceridemia on clinical outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective observational cohort study of adult patients who were admitted to the ICU with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia according to the World Health Organization criteria. Hypertriglyceridemia was defined as triglyceride level of 1.7 mmol/L (≥150 mg/dL) and severe hypertriglyceridemia as fasting TG of ≥5.6 mmol/L (≥500 mg/dL).

Results

Of 1,234 enrolled patients, 1,016 (82.3%) had hypertriglyceridemia. Median age was 50 years and 87.9% were males. Patients with hypertriglyceridemia showed significantly longer time to COVID-19 recovery, ICU and hospital stay, and time to death (29.3 vs. 16.9 days) without a difference in mortality between groups. Of patients with hypertriglyceridemia, 343 (33.8%) received treatment (i.e., fibrate and/or omega-3). Patients in treatment group showed longer time to COVID-19 recovery and hospital stay with no difference in death rates in comparison with those in no-treatment group. Relatively older patients were less likely to experience hypertriglyceridemia (odd ratio (OR) 0.976; 95% CI: 0.956, 0.995) or to receive treatment (OR 0.977; 95% CI: 0.960, 0.994). Whereas patients who received tocilizumab were more likely to experience high TG level (OR 3.508; 95% CI: 2.046, 6.015) and to receive treatment for it (OR 2.528; 95% CI: 1.628, 3.926).

Conclusion

Hypertriglyceridemia associated with COVID-19 did not increase death rate, but prolonged time to death and length of stay. Treating hypertriglyceridemia did not translate into improvement in clinical outcomes including mortality.

Hyperlipidemia, COVID-19 and acute pancreatitis: A tale of three entities

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which presented as not only respiratory symptoms, but various digestive manifestations including pancreatic injury and acute pancreatitis (AP). The underlying mechanism is still unclear. Hypertriglyceridemia has become one of the leading causes of AP in recent years and hyperlipidemia is highly reported in COVID-19 cases. The current narrative review aimed to explore the associations between AP, COVID-19 and hyperlipidemia. Substantial cases of COVID-19 patients complicated with AP were reported, while the incidence of AP in the COVID-19 population was relatively low. Hyperlipidemia was common in COVID-19 patients with a pooled incidence of 32.98%. Hyperlipidemia could be a mediating factor in the pathogenesis of AP in COVID-19 patients. Further studies are warranted to clarify the relationship among AP, lipid metabolism disorders and COVID-19.

Severe hypertriglyceridemia: A rare complication of diabetic ketoacidosis in a 3-year-old with SARS-CoV-2 infection

INTRODUCTION

Children commonly present in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) secondary to Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Electrolyte imbalances and cerebral edema are common complications in the pediatric age group; however, patients may also have additional metabolic disturbances such as hyperlipidemia. We report a case of a pediatric patient with new-onset type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and DKA complicated by severe hypertriglyceridemia with recent exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

CASE PRESENTATION

A three-year-old male noted to be SARS-CoV-2 positive, presented with hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and ketosis consistent with DKA. Patient was later found to have severe hypertriglyceridemia (greater than 5680 mg/dL). He was managed with intravenous (IV) fluids and IV insulin replacement with improvement of triglycerides.

CONCLUSION

Severe hypertriglyceridemia in DKA, though rare in the pediatric population, responds very well to IV insulin therapy. This case also highlights possible need for early lipid screening in DKA patients with SARS-CoV-2 positive status.

Severe acquired hypertriglyceridemia following COVID-19

Severe hypertriglyceridemia is a major risk factor for acute pancreatitis. In exceptional cases, it is caused by plasma components inhibiting lipoprotein lipase activity. This phenomenon is predominantly associated with autoimmune diseases. Here, we report a case of severe hypertriglyceridemia due to a transient reduction in lipoprotein lipase activity following an episode of COVID-19 in an otherwise healthy 45-year-old woman. The lipoprotein lipase activity of the patient was markedly reduced compared with a healthy control and did recover to 20% of the healthy control's lipoprotein lipase activity 5 months after the COVID-19 episode. Mixing tests substantiated reduced lipolytic capacity in the presence of the patient's plasma at presentation compared with a homozygous lipoprotein lipase-deficient control, which was no longer present at follow-up. Western blotting confirmed that the quantity of lipoprotein lipase was not aberrant. Fibrate treatment and a strict hypolipidemic diet improved the patient's symptoms and triglyceride levels.