Safety and efficacy of tandem hemodialysis and plasma exchange in children

Oncology Intensive Care Units: Distinguishing Features and Clinical Considerations

The rapidly advancing field of cancer therapeutics has led to increased longevity among cancer patients as well as increasing complexity of cancer-related illness and associated comorbid conditions. As a result, institutions and organizations that specialize in the in-patient care of cancer patients have similarly evolved to meet the constantly changing needs of this unique patient population. Within these institutions, the intensive care units that specialize in the care of critically ill cancer patients represent an especially unique clinical resource. This article explores some of the defining and distinguishing characteristics associated with oncology ICUs.

Experience with Tandem Pre-Dilution Online Hemodiafiltration and Centrifugal Plasma Exchange in Pretransplant Desensitization for Abo-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

In the use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) as antibody removal therapy for ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation, it is technically possible to perform online hemodiafiltration (OHDF) and TPE simultaneously for patients who are receiving OHDF. In this study, we report tandem therapy of pre-dilution OHDF and centrifugal plasma exchange (cTPE), instead of membrane plasma exchange, which is the mainstay of TPE in Japan.

METHODS

A total of 14 sessions of tandem cTPE and pre-dilution OHDF were performed as preoperative antibody removal therapy for 6 ABOi kidney transplant recipients. cTPE intra-circuit pressure, decreased antibody titer, and adverse events were evaluated. The study was carried out following the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and Istanbul. Donors were not prisoners or individuals who were coerced or paid.

RESULTS

The tandem therapy was completed safely in 12 of the 14 sessions, with no problems such as pressure upper and lower limit alarms or circuit coagulation. In 2 sessions, the tandem therapy had to be interrupted due to coagulation on the dialysis circuit side. Antibody titers were reduced by a median of 3-fold for both IgG and IgM. There was no acute antibody-associated rejection.

CONCLUSIONS

In preoperative apheresis therapy for ABOi kidney transplantation, tandem therapy of pre-dilution OHDF and cTPE may be a useful treatment option that can be performed safely and results in sufficient reduction of antibody levels.

Combination of Plasma Exchange and Adsorption Versus Plasma Exchange in Pediatric Acute Liver Failure: A Multicenter Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of double plasma molecular adsorption system (DPMAS) with half-dose plasma exchange (PE) to that of full-dose PE in pediatric acute liver failure (PALF).

METHODS

This multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted in 13 pediatric intensive care units in Shandong Province, China. DPMAS+PE and single PE therapies were performed in 28 and 50 cases, respectively. The patients' clinical information and biochemical data were obtained from the patients' medical records.

RESULTS

The severity of illness did not differ between the 2 groups. At 72 hours after treatment, comparing with PE group, the rates of decline of Pediatric model for End-stage Liver Disease and Pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores as well as total bilirubin blood ammonia and interleukin-6 were significantly higher, while the short-term effective rate (75.0% vs 44.0%, P = 0.008) was significantly higher in the DPMAS+PE group. The volume of plasma consumption (26.5 vs 51.0 mL/kg, P = 0.000) and the rate of adverse events (3.6% vs 24.0%, P = 0.026) were lower in the DPMAS+PE group than in the PE group, respectively. However, there was no statistical difference in the 28-day mortality between the 2 groups (21.4% vs 40.0%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

For PALF patients, both DPMAS + half-dose PE and full-dose PE could improve the liver function, while DPMAS + half-dose PE could significantly reduce plasma consumption without obvious adverse effects in contrast with full-dose PE. Thus, DPMAS + half-dose PE may be a suitable alternative method for PALF in the context of the increasingly tight blood supply situation.

Therapeutic plasma exchange in the intensive care unit: Rationale, special considerations, and techniques for combined circuits

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an extracorporeal blood purification technique with proven efficacy in a variety of conditions, including in the intensive care setting. It is not uncommon for a critically ill patient to require more than one extracorporeal procedure in addition to TPE. This review focuses on the combination of TPE with other extracorporeal circuits in a critical care setting via a single vascular access (either in-series, parallel, or a hybrid mode) which is often referred to as performing procedures "in tandem." Authors performed literature review via pubmed.gov using search terms: plasma exchange, plasmapheresis, apheresis, tandem circuits, combined circuits, critical care, ICU, CRRT, hemodialysis, and ECMO. Thirty-eight English-language, peer-reviewed papers were appraised that satisfied the content of this review on techniques for combining circuits with plasma exchange, as well as describing the advantages of tandem procedures and potential complications that can arise. Performing these procedures simultaneously can be advantageous in reducing total procedure and staffing time, avoiding placement of additional central lines, reducing overall need for anticoagulation, and limiting multiple blood primes in certain populations. However, the described combined circuits are complex, associated with higher complications, and require a skilled team to understand and mitigate the potential complications associated with these combined procedures.

Safety of High-Volume Plasmapheresis in Children With Acute Liver Failure

OBJECTIVES

Paediatric acute liver failure (P-ALF) is a rare condition and is associated with a high mortality rate. Management of P-ALF aims to stabilise vital organ functions and to remove circulating toxins and provide vital plasma factors that are lacking. High-volume plasmapheresis (HVP) removes protein-bound substances and improves survival in adult ALF. It is unknown if this effect can be extrapolated to P-ALF. The aim of this study is to report the safety and feasibility of HVP in P-ALF.

METHODS

Children with P-ALF were offered HVP if bilirubin was higher than 200 μmol/L or if the aetiology was toxic hepatitis. HVP was performed with fresh frozen plasma corresponding to 10% of the body weight on a minimum of 3 consecutive days. Diagnostics, biochemical and clinical data during HVP as well as outcome data after 3 months were collected from 2012 to 2019 and retrospectively analysed.

RESULTS

Sixteen children were treated by HVP and completed at least one series of three treatment sessions with HVP. The only complication seen was an increase in pH > 7.55 in three children within the first 12 hours and was corrected with hydrochloric acid. No bleeding or septic episodes were noted during HVP. Eight children survived without liver transplantation, two survived after successful grafting and a total of six children died. The liver injury unit score between survivors with their own liver and the rest, the two groups was significantly different (P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

HVP with fresh frozen plasma is feasible and well tolerated in children with P-ALF. No serious adverse events and no procedure-related mortality were observed.

Extracorporeal renal and liver support in pediatric acute liver failure

The liver is the only organ which can regenerate and, thus, potentially negate the need for transplantation in acute liver failure (ALF). Cerebral edema and sepsis are leading causes of mortality in ALF. Both water-soluble and protein-bound toxins have been implicated in pathogenesis of various ALF complications. Ammonia is a surrogate marker of water-soluble toxin accumulation in ALF and high levels are associated with higher grades of hepatic encephalopathy, raised intracranial pressure, and mortality. Therefore, extracorporeal therapies aim to lower ammonia and maintain fluid balance and cytokine homeostasis. The most common and easily available modality is continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT). Early initiation of high-volume CKRT utilizing an anticoagulation regimen minimizing treatment downtime and delivering the prescribed dose is highly desirable. Ideally, extracorporeal liver-assist devices (ECLAD) should perform both synthetic and detoxification functions of the liver. ECLAD may temporarily replace lost liver function and serve as a bridge, either to spontaneous recovery or liver transplantation. Various bioartificial and biologic liver-assist devices are described in specialty literature, including molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS), single pass albumin dialysis (SPAD), and total plasma exchange (TPE); however, clinicians commonly use modalities easily available in intensive care units. There is a lack of standardization of indications for ECLAD, availability of different extracorporeal devices with varied technical approaches, and, of note, the differences in doses of ECLAD provided in clinical practice. We review the practicalities and evidence regarding these four artificial liver support devices in pediatric ALF.

Safety and Efficacy of Tandem Hemodialysis and Selective Plasma Exchange in Pretransplant Desensitization of ABO-Incompatible Kidney Transplantation

INTRODUCTION

In patients requiring both hemodialysis (HD) and apheresis, the 2 treatments can be performed simultaneously. At our hospital, selective plasma exchange (SePE) is often performed along with HD for removal of isoagglutinins before ABO-incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation. The 2 treatments can be completed within the HD schedule, which allows the treatment time to be shortened. This approach is also less stressful for patients because fewer punctures are required. In this study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of tandem HD and SePE.

METHODS

A total of 58 SePE sessions in 30 ABOi kidney transplant recipients were investigated. The SePE circuit was connected in parallel with the HD circuit, and tandem HD and SePE therapy was performed using filtration methods. The SePE sessions were divided into 2 groups: those with SePE monotherapy (group S, n = 20) and those with tandem therapy (group T, n = 38). Changes in transmembrane pressure (TMP), arterial pressure (AP), venous pressure (VP), and decrease in isoagglutinin titers over time were compared between the groups with adjustment for background data.

RESULTS

The internal pressures (AP and VP) were higher in group T, and there were significant differences in changes of TMP and AP over time between groups T and S. Membrane exchange was required in 1 case in group T due to coagulation. There was a more significant decrease of immunoglobulin G isoagglutinin titers in group T compared to group S. No case had antibody-mediated rejection after transplantation.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

In HD/SePE tandem therapy, internal pressures were higher and TMP and AP tended to increase more compared to SePE monotherapy, but we were able to perform the 2 treatments without any functional problems. Tandem therapy was also effective in decreasing isoagglutinin titers, which suggests that this may be a beneficial treatment modality as apheresis before ABOi kidney transplantation.

Description of parallel and sequential configurations for concurrent therapeutic plasma exchange and continuous kidney replacement therapy in adults

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and continuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) are extracorporeal therapeutic procedures often implemented in management of patients. Critically ill patients may be afflicted with disease processes that require both TPE and CKRT. Performing TPE discontinuous with CKRT is technically easier, however, it disrupts CKRT and may compromise with CKRT efficiency or hemofilter life. Concurrent TPE with CKRT offers several advantages including simultaneous control of disease process and correction of electrolyte, fluid, and acid-base disturbances that may accompany TPE. Additionally, TPE may be performed by either centrifugation method or membrane plasma separation method. The technical specifications of these methods may influence the methodology of concurrent connections. This report describes and reviews two different approaches to circuit arrangements when establishing concurrent TPE and CKRT.

Membrane-filtration based plasma exchanges for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: Audit of efficacy and safety

BACKGROUND

While complement blockade with eculizumab is recommended as first-line therapy of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), plasma exchanges (PEX) remain the chief option for anti-factor H (FH) antibody associated disease and when access to eculizumab is limited.

METHODS

We reviewed adverse events (AEs) and adverse outcomes (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m² or death), in all patients with aHUS managed with membrane-filtration based PEX at one tertiary care center over 5.5 years.

RESULTS

During January 2013 to June 2018, 109 patients with aHUS (74 with antibodies to FH), aged median (range) 7.6 (0.5-18) year weighing 22.1 (6-90) kg, underwent 2024 sessions of PEX. AE, in 12.1% patients, were usually self-limiting and included chills (5.5%), vomiting/abdominal pain (3.3%), hypotension (1.6%), urticaria (1.5%), seizures (0.2%), hypocalcemia (0.2%), and hemorrhage (0.1%); plasma hypersensitivity and severe reactions were rare. Rate of catheter-related infections was 1.45/1000 catheter-days. Filter reuse (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.26-2.26; P < .001) and >20 sessions of PEX/patient (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.27-3.10; P = .002) were independently associated with adverse events; infusion of IV calcium gluconate during PEX was protective (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.16-0.43; P < .001). Hematological remission was achieved in 96.3% patients after 6 (5-8) PEX sessions; 80.8% and 89.6% patients were dialysis independent by one and 3 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PEX is safe and associated with satisfactory short-term outcomes in children with aHUS. Prolonged PEX and filter-reuse are associated with complications.

Hybrid Extracorporeal Therapies as a Bridge to Pediatric Liver Transplantation

OBJECTIVES

Standard intensive care treatment is inadequate to keep children with liver failure alive without catastrophic complications to ensure successful transplant, as accumulation of endogenous protein-bound toxins often lead to hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, cardiovascular instability, and multiple organ failure. Given paucity of proven treatment modalities for liver failure, blood purification using different extracorporeal treatments as a bridge to transplantation is used, but studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of combination of these therapies, especially in pediatric liver failure, are lacking. We describe our experience at a major tertiary children's hospital, where a unique hybrid extracorporeal treatment protocol has been instituted and followed for acute liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure as a bridge to transplantation. This protocol combines high-flux continuous renal replacement therapy for hyperammonemia, therapeutic plasma exchange for coagulopathy, and albumin-assisted dialysis (molecular adsorbent recirculating system) for hepatic encephalopathy.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

SETTING

Freestanding tertiary children's hospital and liver transplant referral center.

PATIENTS

All patients with acute liver failure/acute-on-chronic liver failure receiving hybrid extracorporeal therapy over 24 months.

INTERVENTION

Hybdrid extracorporeal therapy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Fifteen children (age 3 yr [0.7-9 yr]; 73% male) with acute liver failure/acute-on-chronic liver failure who were either listed or actively considered for listing and met our protocol criteria were treated with hybrid extracorporeal therapy; 93% were ventilated, and 80% were on vasoactive support. Of these, two patients recovered spontaneously, four died prior to transplant, and nine were successfully transplanted; 90-day survival post orthotopic liver transplant was 100%. Overall survival to hospital discharge was 73%.

CONCLUSIONS

Hybrid extracorporeal therapies can be effectively implemented in pediatric liver failure as a bridge to transplantation. Overall complexity and heavy resource utilization need to be carefully considered in instituting these therapies in suitable candidates.

Peritoneal dialysis for the management of pediatric patients with acute kidney injury

Renal replacement therapy (RRT) is the most important supportive measure used in the management of acute kidney injury (AKI). Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a safe, simple and inexpensive procedure and has been used in pediatric AKI patients, ranging from neonates to adolescents. It is the modality of choice for RRT in developing countries with cost constraints and limited resources. However, its use has declined with the availability of newer types of extracorporeal modalities for RRT in the developed world. Much controversy exists regarding the dosing and adequacy of PD in the management of AKI. Data in infants and children have shown that PD can provide adequate clearance, ultrafiltration and correction of metabolic abnormalities even in those who are critically ill. Although there are no prospective studies in children, data from retrospective studies reveal no differences in mortality rates between different modalities of RRT. In this review, we discuss the advantages and limitations of PD, indications for acute PD, strategies to improve the efficiency of acute PD and outcomes of PD in children with AKI.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Neonates and Infants: Successful Use of a Miniaturized Machine

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in neonates and small infants is a treatment method at the forefront that may become a potentially life-saving procedure in a wide array of severe conditions. Indications for TPE in the pediatric population have been mainly derived from adult literature, with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia being the most notable exception. The only alternative to TPE in small pediatric patients is manual blood exchange transfusion, which, however, bears an unacceptably high risk of severe complications. Still, technical issues due to extracorporeal circulation in neonates have burdened TPE so far, since machines developed for adults require a relatively large blood volume to operate. We in this study, describe our preliminary experience of TPE for treating 2 potentially life-threatening conditions in neonatal age. To overcome the aforementioned limitations, plasmapheresis was performed in both cases using a machine specifically designed for patients weighing less than 10 kg.

In tandem extracorporeal therapies during hemodialysis in pediatric patients

We describe the successful treatment of a pediatric transplant patient with simultaneous intermittent hemodialysis and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). The patient presented with kidney graft failure. He had life threatening electrolyte disturbances and fluid overload due to antibody-mediated rejection. Therefore, he was in need of both emergent kidney replacement therapy and TPE. Both extracorporeal circuits were set up, established, and maintained safely and effectively without difficulty or alarms. Running intermittent hemodialysis and TPE simultaneously significantly reduced therapy time, allowed both needed therapies priority, and provided a superior pediatric patient experience in an acute situation.

Citrate Anticoagulation in Tandem Membrane Plasma-Exchange or Immunoadsorption and Hemodialysis in Patients With Immunological Diseases and Dialysis-Dependence

In 1996 we performed tandem membrane plasma exchange-hemodialysis in a 3-year-old girl and tandem immunoadsorption-hemodialysis with citrate as the only anticoagulant in a patient with Goodpasture's syndrome. In the present study, we evaluated the feasibility, efficacy and safety of 24 tandem plasma exchange/immunoadsorption hemodialysis procedures in four different circuit setups with citrate as the only anticoagulant. In two setups, the tandem procedures were connected in series (plasma exchange hemodialysis and immunoadsorption hemodialysis), while in the other two setups they were in parallel (plasma exchange hemodialysis with independent blood circuits and plasma exchange hemodialysis with independent arterial blood lines, but with a common return line). All tandem procedures were feasible, efficient and safe. No serious side-effects were recorded. The most elegant setup was the procedure with independent, parallel blood circuits. However, serial tandem procedures provided for the elimination of citrate and normalization of electrolytes before blood was returned to the patient.