Therapeutic Plasma Exchange In Children Research Articles

Plasma exchange using peripheral arterial and venous access in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a vital therapeutic modality in pediatric intensive care units (PICU) for various indications. Traditionally, pediatric TPE is performed via a large bore, double lumen catheter, whose insertion necessitates deep sedation, and poses risk of hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications. Building on our previous success utilizing percutaneous radial artery catheters (ALs) for apheresis procedures, we present our experience with ALs for TPE procedures in the PICU. A retrospective cohort study, conducted in the PICU of a tertiary, university affiliated pediatric hospital, including all children aged 19 years and younger, who underwent TPE using an AL for vascular access, between 2018 and 2023. TPE procedures were evaluated for utility (the procedure was performed as planned) and safety. A total of 72 procedures were performed on 20 children, using ALs for inlet access and peripheral intra-venous catheters for blood return. Procedure success rate was 94%, with AL malfunction causing transient delays in 6%. All were successfully completed following AL replacement. ALs were mostly 20 and 22 gauge, predominantly located in the radial artery. AL gauge did not significantly affect flow rate or procedure duration. Our findings support AL use for vascular access, as a viable alternative to the traditional large bore, double lumen catheters most often used for TPE in children. Benefits of AL use may include a decrease in sedation requirements and a lower risk of vascular complications. Further investigation is warranted, for consideration as routine practice in PICUs.

Single-center Experience of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Children with Neuroimmunological Disorders: Indications, Efficacy, and Safety

Single-center Experience of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Children with Neuroimmunological Disorders: Indications, Efficacy, and Safety

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Children With Acute and Acuteon-Chronic Liver Failure: A Single-Center Experience.

Acute liver failure is a life-threatening condition that may result in death if liver transplant is not performed. The aim of our study was to evaluate patients with acute liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure who were followed and treated with therapeutic plasma exchange in a pediatric intensive care unit until they achieved clinical recovery or underwent liver transplant. In this retrospective, singlecenter study, we included patients with acute liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure who received therapeutic plasma exchange between April 2020 and December 2021. Clinical findings, laboratory findings, extracorporeal therapies, Pediatric Risk of Mortality III and liver injury unit scores and pretherapy and posttherapy hepatic encephalopathy scores, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, and Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease score were retrospectively analyzed. Nineteen patients were included in the study. One patient was excluded because of positivity for COVID-19. The mean age of children was 62.06 months, ranging from 5 months to 16 years (12 boys, 6 girls). Thirteen patients (72.2%) had acute liver failure, and 5 patients (27.8%) had acute-on-chronic liver failure. No significant difference was shown for mean liver injury unit score (P = .673) and Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction score (P = .168) between patients who died and patients who received treatment at the inpatient clinic and transplant center. However, Pediatric Risk of Mortality score and the mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease/Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease scores before therapeutic plasma exchange and after therapeutic plasma exchange (after 3 consecutive days of treatment) were statistically significant (P = .001 and P = .004). Therapeutic plasma exchange may assist bridge to liver transplant or assist with spontaneous recovery of liver failure in pediatric patients with acute liver failure or acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Efficacy and Safety of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Children with Neuroimmunological Disorders: A Limited Unicentral Study.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a plasmapheresis procedure whose Safety data for pediatric neuro-immunological disorders (PNID) is confined. The present research documents TPE's safety and feasibility data in these conditions. The current study involved six distinct groups of patients with PNID undergoing TPE: neuromyelitis optic spectrum disorder (NMOSD), autoimmune encephalitis (AIE), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), and optic neuritis (ON). This study documented complications related to each TPE process. In addition, TPE's efficacy was studied in these patients. The present study recorded adverse effects in 18 patients with PNID that received 121 TPE cycles: five cycles (4.13%) in MS, three (2.48%) in AIE subgroup, one (0.82%) in ADEM, and two (1.65%) in GBS. No severe complications were observed among the patients. Patients with PNID tolerated therapeutic plasma exchange, which was a safe process.

Management of Bivalirudin Dosing and Replacement Fluid During Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Children on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

The use of bivalirudin as the primary anticoagulant for children supported on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is growing. Ideal management of bivalirudin dosing during therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) on ECMO is unknown. We performed a single-center retrospective study of ECMO patients anticoagulated with bivalirudin who underwent TPE from January 2019 to December 2021. Therapeutic plasma exchange sessions were analyzed individually by bivalirudin dosing strategy (no change [NC] versus increased dose [dose change {DC} bivalirudin group]) and replacement fluid (all fresh-frozen plasma [FFP] versus all albumin or FFP and albumin [FFP/Albumin]). Primary outcomes included bleeding, coagulopathy, and circuit thrombosis within 24 hours of TPE. Secondary outcomes included change in bivalirudin dose and coagulation parameters following TPE. There were 60 unique TPE sessions. Bivalirudin dosing or replacement fluid strategies were not associated with bleeding, coagulopathy, or thrombosis post-TPE. All albumin or fresh frozen plasma and albumin combinations (FFP/Albumin) group had longer post-TPE thromboelastography (TEG) reaction time, clot time, and more acute angle. The FFP/Albumin group had increased post-TPE international normalization ratio (INR) and partial thrombin time (PTT). Therapeutic plasma exchange for children on ECMO and bivalirudin anticoagulation is feasible; however, optimal dosing during TPE requires further investigation. Replacement fluid with FFP/Albumin is associated with more coagulopathic laboratory parameters. Patients may benefit from all FFP fluid replacement strategy. Further investigation is needed to prove generalizability.

Clinical application of regional citrate anticoagulation for membrane-based therapeutic plasma exchange in children with liver failure.

Regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) is being used more commonly in children for continuous renal replacement therapy. Few reports describe the application of membrane-based therapeutic plasma exchange (mTPE) with RCA in children with liver failure (LF). To explore the application of RCA-mTPE in children with LF. We retrospectively analyzed data from children with LF who underwent RCA-mTPE in the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University's pediatric intensive care unit. We used the total to ionized calcium ratio (T/iCa) > 2.5 as the diagnostic criteria for citrate accumulation (CA). The patients were divided into two groups according to the occureence of CA at the end of RCA-mTPE (CA group: T/iCa > 2.5; NCA group: T/iCa ≤ 2.5). To evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of RCA-mTPE, the following data from medical records were assessed and compared between groups: clinical characteristics, reasons for LF, RCA-mTPE parameters and duration, laboratory findings, and complications. In total, 92 RCA-mTPE treatments were administered to 21 children with LF over 3.8 ± 0.9 h. The following mean values were determined: blood flow rate (QB) = 2.8 ml/kg/min, 4% sodium citrate dose/blood flow rate ratio (QCi/QB) = 1.1(QCi,ml/kg/h); plasma dose/body weight ratio(QP/BW) = 18.5 (QP, ml/kg/h); 10% calcium gluconate dose/blood flow rate ratio (QCa/QB) = 0.2(QCa, ml/kg/h). The mean concentration of iCa in vitro was 0.38 ± 0.07 mmol/L. Citrate accumulation was recorded after 34 (37%) treatments. Hypocalcemia occurred in 11 (12%) and 7 (7.6%) treatments, during and after mTPE, respectively. Three hypotensive and one convulsive events, related to hypocalcemia, and two clotting events occurred during RCA-mTPE. After RCA-mTPE, the patients' pH, HCO3- and Na+ levels, and T/iCa were significantly increased and the total bilirubin (TB), conjugated bilirubin (DB), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST),and ammonia levels were significantly decreased. The TB, DB, and lactic acid levels, before RCA-mTPE, were significantly higher in the CA group than in the NCA group, but there were no significance between the two groups in QB/BW, QCi/QB, and QP/BW, mTPE duration, and estimated amount of citrate metabolized. Children with LF undergoing RCA-mTPE are at risk of hypocalcemia. With proper protocol adjustment, however, RCA-mTPE can be used safely and effectively in these patients.

Therapeutic plasma exchange in children with acute liver failure (ALF): is it time for incorporation into the ALF armamentarium?

Paediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a rare but devastating condition with high mortality. An exaggerated inflammatory response is now recognised as pivotal in the pathogenesis and prognosis of ALF, with cytokine spill from the liver to systemic circulation implicated in development of multi-organ failure associated with ALF. With advances in medical management, especially critical care, there is an increasing trend towards spontaneous liver regeneration, averting the need for emergency liver transplantation or providing stability to the patient awaiting a graft. Hence, research is ongoing for therapies, including extracorporeal liver support devices, that can bridge patients to transplant or spontaneous liver recovery. Considering the immune-related pathogenesis and inflammatory phenotype of ALF, plasma exchange serves as an ideal liver assist device as it performs both the excretory and synthetic functions of the liver and, in addition, works as an immunomodulatory therapy by suppressing the early innate immune response in ALF. After a recent randomised controlled trial in adults demonstrated a beneficial effect of high-volume plasma exchange on clinical outcomes, this therapy was incorporated in European Association for the Study of Liver (EASL) recommendations for managing adult patients with ALF, but no guidelines exist for PALF. In this review, we discuss rationale, timing, practicalities, and existing evidence regarding the use of plasma exchange as an immunomodulatory treatment in PALF. We discuss controversies in delivery of this therapy as an extracorporeal device, and practicalities of use of plasma exchange as a ‘hybrid’ therapy alongside other extracorporeal liver assist devices, before finally reviewing outstanding research questions for the future.

The use of therapeutic plasma exchange for pediatric patients supported on extracorporeal membranous oxygenator therapy: A narrative review.

Therapeutic plasma exchange in children is increasingly recognized as a life-saving treatment and is challenged by some technical considerations. As extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has been used for nearly half a century for refractory reversible respiratory and/or cardiac failure in both pediatric and adult populations, it may serve as an extracorporeal platform for therapeutic plasma exchange. It is most commonly described in patients with sepsis with multiple organ failure or thrombocytopenia associated multi organ failure. Additional pathophysiological processes of inflammatory and immunological storms might benefit from the combination of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and plasma exchange. This is a nonmethodological review of English-language reports of therapeutic plasma exchange performed in patients supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, both pediatric and adult, searching six databases, MEDLINE, Clinical Key, GOOGLE SCHOLAR, CINAHL, Cochrane library, and EMBASE.

Evaluation of Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy and Therapeutic Plasma Exchange, in Severe Sepsis or Septic Shock in Critically Ill Children.

Background and objective: Severe sepsis and septic shock are life-threatening organ dysfunctions and causes of death in critically ill patients. The therapeutic goal of the management of sepsis is restoring balance to the immune system and fluid balance. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is recommended in septic patients, and it may improve outcomes in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is another extracorporeal procedure that can improve organ function by decreasing inflammatory and anti-fibrinolytic mediators and correcting haemostasis by replenishing anticoagulant proteins. However, research about sepsis and CRRT and TPE in children has been insufficient and incomplete. Therefore, we investigated the reliability and efficacy of extracorporeal therapies in paediatric patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Materials and methods: We performed a multicentre retrospective study using data from all patients aged <18 years who were admitted to two paediatric intensive care units. Demographic data and reason for hospitalization were recorded. In addition, vital signs, haemogram parameters, and biochemistry results were recorded at 0 h and after 24 h of CRRT. Patients were compared according to whether they underwent CRRT or TPE; mortality between the two treatment groups was also compared. Results: Between January 2014 and April 2019, 168 septic patients were enrolled in the present study. Of them, 47 (27.9%) patients underwent CRRT and 24 underwent TPE. In patients with severe sepsis, the requirement for CRRT was statistically associated with mortality (p < 0.001). In contrast, the requirement for TPE was not associated with mortality (p = 0.124). Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the requirement for CRRT in patients with severe sepsis is predictive of increased mortality. CRRT and TPE can be useful techniques in critically ill children with severe sepsis. However, our results did not show a decrease of mortality with CRRT and TPE.

Therapeutic plasma exchange for children with kidney disorders: Definitions, prescription, indications, and complications.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a procedure that involves the removal of a large volume of plasma that is replaced with a replacement fluid, which is usually 5% albumin or fresh-frozen plasma. This therapeutic modality presents several technical challenges in children but has become increasingly used in pediatric nephrology. Owing to advances in technology, scientists have gained substantial knowledge of the molecular pathogenesis underlying many pediatric renal diseases, supporting the use of TPE in treating these disorders. This review presents a synopsis of the literature as it relates to the accepted indications for TPE in children, the technical aspects of the procedure, and the associated complications. Increased collaboration between pediatric nephrologists will hopefully allow scientists to obtain more data in children to assess the benefits of TPE in various renal disorders and improve the quality of care provided in children with renal disorders.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Children With Thrombocytopenia-Associated Multiple Organ Failure: The Thrombocytopenia-Associated Multiple Organ Failure Network Prospective Experience.

The objective was to compare the resolution of organ dysfunction, 28-day mortality, and biochemical markers in children with thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure who received therapeutic plasma exchange versus no therapeutic plasma exchange. Observational longitudinal cohort study. Nine U.S. PICUs. Eighty-one children with sepsis-induced thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure. Therapeutic plasma exchange. Adjusted relative risk for 28-day mortality was modeled using standard multivariate regression with propensity score weighting to reduce covariate confounding. Change from baseline Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction scores between therapeutic plasma exchange and no therapeutic plasma exchange differed in temporal pattern during the first week (p = 0.009). By day 4, mean Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction score declined by 7.9 points (95% CI, -10.8 to -5.1) in the therapeutic plasma exchange-treated group compared with no change with no therapeutic plasma exchange. Use of therapeutic plasma exchange was associated with reduced 28-day mortality by multivariate analysis (adjusted relative risk, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.23-0.90; p = 0.02) and by propensity score weighting (adjusted relative risk, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.22-0.97; p = 0.04). Therapeutic plasma exchange use in thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure was associated with a decrease in organ dysfunction. After accounting for several risk factors, 28-day all-cause mortality was lower in children treated with therapeutic plasma exchange compared with those receiving no therapeutic plasma exchange. A multicenter randomized clinical trial is necessary to determine a causal relationship.

Overview of therapeutic plasma exchange in pediatric neurology: a single-center experience.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is used in the treatment of neurological, hematological, renal and autoimmune diseases with known or suspected immune pathogenesis. In comparison with neurological diseases of adults, knowledge about the use of TPE in children is incomplete. We report our experience on TPE in children with neurological diseases in a single institution and describe the underlying etiology, clinical course, treatment and outcome. We retrospectively evaluated 22 consecutive children (12 girls, 10 boys, aged 2-16years) who underwent TPE in the pediatric intensive care unit between January 2010 and January 2017. There were 135 TPE procedures with median 6 TPE sessions per patient. Fresh frozen plasma was used as a replacement fluid in all cases. Most common indications were inflammatory polyneuropathy followed by acquired demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. Other indications were autoimmune encephalitis and paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis. No mortality was recorded during TPE. The complication rate was 2.2% and consisted of transient events like hypotension and allergic reactions. Therapetic plasma exchange is one of the safe methods of treatment for neuroimmunological disorders in children, with Guillain-Barré syndrome as the most common indication.

Therapeutic plasma exchange in paediatric neurology: a critical review and proposed treatment algorithm.

Studies investigating therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) are small and mainly uncontrolled. They provide evidence for the efficacy of TPE in childhood neuro-inflammatory conditions. TPE is generally well tolerated provided key adverse effects are anticipated and avoided. Systematic dosing and objective assessment of treatment effect should be priorities for future research.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Use in Pediatric Neurologic Disorders at a Tertiary Care Center: A 10-Year Review.

Pediatric neurologic conditions requiring therapeutic plasma exchange are rare in children and literature is sparse. The study aims to determine the outcomes, safety, and feasibility of therapeutic plasma exchange treatment in pediatric neurologic disorders. This retrospective analysis looked at the outcomes and safety of therapeutic plasma exchange in children (n = 50) with neurologic conditions. Patient age ranged <1 to 19 years old with a mean of 10.35 years. Of the 50 children treated with plasmapheresis, 26 patients received inpatient rehabilitation. At discharge, functional status can be summarized as follows: 24 (48%) with mental status impairment, 10 (20%) with vision impairment, 19 (38%) with bladder incontinence, and 37 (74%) with motor impairment. Three-month follow-up: 30% with mental status impairment, 10% with vision impairment, 18% with bladder incontinence, and 52% with motor impairment. Therapeutic plasma exchange is an effective and safe therapy for neurological conditions in the pediatric population.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Children with Neutropenic Sepsis: Single Center Experience

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Children with Neutropenic Sepsis: Single Center Experience

Therapeutic plasma exchange in children: One center's experience.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has evolved to an accepted therapy for selected indications. However, it is technically challenging in children. Moreover, data on safety and efficacy are mainly derived from adult series. The aim of this study was to review the procedure in the context of clinical indications, effectiveness, and safety. All TPE procedures performed at a tertiary care hospital during a 12-year period (2005-2016) were retrospectively evaluated. Eighteen patients with a median age of 8.5 (0.2-17) years underwent a total of 280 TPE sessions. Eleven (61%) patients were treated for renal diseases. Three (17%) patients were diagnosed with neurological diseases, two had liver failure, and one patient each had sepsis and stem cell transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy. Seven patients (39%) were classified as American Society for Apheresis Category I, four (22%) as Category II, two (13%) each as Category III and IV, and two (13%) were not classified. Two patients with atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome received TPE as long-term therapy over 2 and 5 years. All procedures were performed using the filtration technique and heparin anticoagulation. Twelve (67%) patients showed full or partial recovery after TPE, six had no response or an uncertain response. Minor adverse events occurred in 30/280 (10.6%) procedures, and one major complication (0.4%) was reported. TPE is a safe apheresis method in children, even when performed as a long-term therapy. Efficacy is high under selected conditions. A highly skilled and experienced staff is mandatory to ensure patient safety and efficacy.

Therapeutic plasma exchange may improve hemodynamics and organ failure among children with sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome receiving extracorporeal life support.

To determine the effect of therapeutic plasma exchange on hemodynamics, organ failure, and survival in children with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome due to sepsis requiring extracorporeal life support. A retrospective analysis. A PICU in an academic children's hospital. Fourteen consecutive children with sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome who received therapeutic plasma exchange while on extracorporeal life support from 2005 to 2013. Median of three cycles of therapeutic plasma exchange with median of 1.0 times the estimated plasma volume per exchange. Organ Failure Index and Vasoactive-Inotropic Score were measured before and after therapeutic plasma exchange use. PICU survival in our cohort was 71.4%. Organ Failure Index decreased in patients following therapeutic plasma exchange (mean ± SD: pre, 4.1 ± 0.7 vs post, 2.9 ± 0.9; p = 0.0004). Patients showed improved Vasoactive-Inotropic Score following therapeutic plasma exchange (median [25th-75th]: pre, 24.5 [13.0-69.8] vs post, 5.0 [1.5-7.0]; p = 0.0002). Among all patients, the change in Organ Failure Index was greater for early therapeutic plasma exchange use than late use (early, -1.7 ± 1.2 vs late, -0.9 ± 0.6; p = 0.14), similar to the change in Vasoactive-Inotropic Score (early, -67.5 [28.0-171.2] vs late, -12.0 [7.2-18.5]; p = 0.02). Among survivors, the change in Organ Failure Index was greater among early therapeutic plasma exchange use than late use (early, -2.3 ± 1.0 vs late, -0.8 ± 0.8; p = 0.03), as was the change in Vasoactive-Inotropic Score (early, -42.0 [16.0-76.3] vs late, -12.0 [5.3-29.0]; p = 0.17). The mean duration of extracorporeal life support after therapeutic plasma exchange according to timing of therapeutic plasma exchange was not statistically different among all patients or among survivors. The use of therapeutic plasma exchange in children on extracorporeal life support with sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome is associated with organ failure recovery and improved hemodynamic status. Initiating therapeutic plasma exchange early in the hospital course was associated with greater improvement in organ dysfunction and decreased requirement for vasoactive and/or inotropic agents.

Use of therapeutic plasma exchange in children with thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure in the Turkish TAMOF network

Thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure (TAMOF) can lead to high mortality in critically ill children, possibly related to consequences of thrombotic microangiopathy. Plasma exchange therapy may improve thrombotic microangiopathy [1]. The purpose of this observational cohort study is to describe whether there is an association between use of plasma exchange therapy and outcome in the Turkish TAMOF network.

Use of therapeutic plasma exchange in children with thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure in the Turkish thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure network.

Thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure can lead to high mortality in critically ill children, possibly related to consequences of thrombotic microangiopathy. Plasma exchange therapy may improve thrombotic microangiopathy. The purpose of this observational cohort study is to describe whether there is an association between use of plasma exchange therapy and outcome in the Turkish thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure network. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis in patients with thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure at three different PICUs comparing those who received plasma exchange (+) plus standard therapies with those who did not receive plasma exchange (-) and only received standard therapies. Among 42 of the enrolled patients with thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure, all had a primary or secondary sepsis diagnosis. Fifteen received plasma exchange therapy (PE [+] group) and 27 received standard medical treatment without plasma exchange (PE [-] group). The mean age was 17.69 months (8.24-54.22) in the PE (+) group and 13.46 months (6.47-20.55) in the PE (-) group. Age (p = 0.232), gender (p = 0.206), thrombocyte count (p = 0.09), Organ Failure Index score (p = 0.111), and pediatric logistic organ dysfunction score (p = 0.177) at admission were not statistically different between groups. The overall 28-day mortality was higher in the PE (-) group (70.37%) compared with the PE (+) group (26.67%) (univariate p = 0.006; multivariate controlling for pediatric logistic organ dysfunction, Organ Failure Index, Pediatric Risk of Mortality scores, and neurological failure p = 0.048). Length of stay was increased in the PE (+) group (p = 0.004). The positive association found between use of plasma exchange therapy and improved survival supports the potential of this therapy in Turkish children with thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure. The positive, although less so, associated treatment effect observed after controlling for illness severity provides further rationale for performing a randomized controlled trial in the pediatric Turkish thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure network. Sample size calculations call for a 100-patient trial with a pre hoc interim analysis after enrollment of 50 patients with thrombocytopenia-associated multiple organ failure.

Therapeutic plasma exchange in children with acute liver failure: assessment of laboratory parameters

The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) on biochemical and coagulation parameters.