Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Research Articles

Use of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange and Intravenous Immunoglobulin to Prevent Complications in a K+ Sensitized Pregnancy

Use of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange and Intravenous Immunoglobulin to Prevent Complications in a K+ Sensitized Pregnancy

Ineffectiveness of therapeutic plasma exchange as a last resort in severe COVID-19 cases: Experience from a tertiary intensive care unit.

Several studies have suggested that cytokine release syndrome (CRS) can be controlled by therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) treatment. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of TPE treatment in patients who developed life-threatening respiratory failure syndrome (SARS) due to COVID-19 infection. In this retrospective, case-control study, patients, who developed SARS, were infected with the COVID-19 virus, and required intensive care unit (ICU) admission were included. Patients included in the study were divided into groups according to whether TPE experience or not and if so, how many sessions were applied. Mortality rates of patients in the ICU and 30-day mortality ratios were evaluated. A total of 110 patients, 71.8% of whom were male, with a mean age of 59.7 ± 13.3 years, were included in our study. It was observed that 70% of the patients died within a month and 80% of them died during the ICU follow-up period. The 30-day mortality rates of patients who underwent TPE at least once and those who never underwent TPE were 72.2% and 67.9%, respectively (p: 0.617). CRP, D-dimer, fibrinogen and platelet levels showed to have a decreasing trend after plasmapheresis and fluctuated thereafter. It was observed that procalcitonin and IL-6 levels were increased in the group that underwent plasmapheresis but decreased in those who did not receive plasmapheresis. Patients severely infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed fluctuations in inflammatory parameters despite TPE treatment; CRS was not suppressed by TPE; and this treatment did not confer survival benefit in this patient group.

Evaluation of patients undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange in the pediatric intensive care unit and determining the factors affecting prognosis.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), an extracorporeal method targeting the removal of large molecular weight pathogens, is explored in this study for indications, complications, prognosis, safety, and effectiveness. The patients' data were collected retrospectively. Overall, 334 sessions of TPE were applied to 57 patients. Per the American Society for Apheresis classification, 24.6% of indications fell under Category I, 14% Category II, and 50.9% Category III. Sepsis-induced multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) emerged as the leading indication, correlating with elevated needs for mechanical ventilation (MV), increased failed organs, and heightened mortality. Patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy faced a 16.06 times higher mortality risk. Non-survivors exhibited higher comorbidity, prolonged MV, increased inotropic drug requirement, more failed organs, and a higher PRISM score. 33.2% of complications occurred, primarily catheter-related. Sepsis-induced MODS and extracorporeal modalities are associated with increased mortality in TPE patients, with comorbidities, ventilation, and PRISM scores potentially influencing outcomes.

Alteration in sB7-H4 Serum Levels and Placental Biomarker Expression after Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Early-Onset Preeclampsia Patients

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a widely used treatment for numerous diseases including pregnancy-related conditions. Our prior study on 20 early-onset preeclampsia patients undergoing TPE revealed a significant extension in pregnancy duration and reduced serum levels of sFlt-1, sFlt-1/PlGF, and sEndoglin. Here, we investigated the impact of TPE on serum sB7-H4, an immunological checkpoint molecule, and placental proteins (Flt-1, Eng, B7-H4, iNOS, TNF-α) in TPE-treated early-onset preeclampsia patients (N = 12, 23 + 2–28 + 5 weeks), conventionally treated counterparts (N = 12, 23 + 5–30 weeks), and gestational age-matched controls (N = 8, 22 + 4–31 + 6 weeks). Immunoblotting, ELISA, and co-immunohistochemistry were used for biomarker analysis, including placental inflammation factors (iNOS, TNF-α). The results showed that TPE extended pregnancy by a median of 6.5 days in this cohort of early-onset preeclampsia. Serum sB7-H4, sFlt-1, and sEndoglin levels decreased, along with reduced expression of their membrane-bound proteins in placental tissue upon TPE treatment. Moreover, TPE-treated patients displayed reduced placental inflammation compared to preeclampsia patients receiving standard-of-care treatment. In conclusion, TPE may improve pregnancy outcomes in early-onset preeclampsia by lowering circulating levels of sB7-H4, sFlt-1, and sEndoglin, as well as reducing placental inflammation. This translational approach holds promise for enhancing placental function and extending gestation in high-risk pregnancies including very preterm PE or HELLP cases.

Exploring the role of plasmapheresis prior to thyroidectomy in managing thyrotoxicosis: a comprehensive scoping review.

A thyroid storm is the most extreme and life-threatening presentation of thyrotoxicosis. Thyroidectomy can be used for definitive treatment. It should be performed after euthyroidism is accomplished. The use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a last resort option in cases where standard pharmacological therapy proves to be ineffective. Due to its rare prevalence, there are limited data evaluating the usefulness and efficacy of TPE as a bridging therapy to thyroidectomy. The absence of relevant literature prompted us to conduct a scoping review. The following bibliographic databases were searched for articles dated 30 November 2023: Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The search identified 1047 records, of which 42 articles were accepted with a total of 234 patients. The dominant indications for TPE were side effects due to conventional treatment. The mean fT4 level decreased 51.9% of baseline after TPE, while the mean fT3 level decreased 66.6% of baseline. The main side effects observed with FFP were allergic reactions, while the use of an albumin solution was associated with perioperative bleeding. Based on the limited data available in the literature, we recognize plasmapheresis as an effective treatment option for reducing thyroid hormone levels prior to thyroidectomy in patients with thyrotoxicosis. Available data suggest that it might be reasonable to limit the number of sessions in favor of an earlier surgical intervention. To reduce the risk of bleeding, FFP may be a better option as a replacement fluid, especially in the session prior to thyroidectomy.

The role of therapeutic plasma exchange using membrane plasma separation in the late onset myasthenic crisis: a case report

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease, in which antibodies bind to receptors in the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), causing muscle weakness. This disease is relatively challenging to diagnose due to its late onset and comorbidities. Several treatment options include therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) with membrane plasma separation, that aims to remove large molecular-weight toxins such as pathogenic antibodies and lipoproteins. A 61-year-old male patient was admitted to the ICU post-sternotomy due to mediastinal tumor resection. Extubation failed, so we decided to undergo a tracheostomy. The lung pathology result showed lymphocyte-predominant thymoma, and along with symptoms of chest weakness and ptosis, the patient was suspected for MG. Electromyography results confirmed the occurrence of functional lesions in post-synaptic NMJ consistent with MG. We assessed patient with myasthenic crisis (MC), then gave pyridostigmine 60 mg 6x/day, and planned for TPE using membrane plasma separation. Plasma exchange was done by 1.5 of blood volume. The patient developed sepsis pneumonia and was administered levofloxacin based on his culture results. Patient still had weakness. We re-evaluated the drugs that might have exacerbated MG. Aztreonam in combination with co-trimoxazole was administered to combat Stenotrophomonas maltophilia pneumonia. The patient was eventually weaned from the ventilator and gradually recovered. Keywords: Membrane Plasma Separation; Myasthenia Gravis Crisis; Therapeutic Plasma Exchange; TPE Citation: Kurnia D, Manggala SK, Irawany V. The role of therapeutic plasma exchange using membrane plasma separation in the late onset myasthenia gravis crisis: a case report. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2024;28(5):969−973; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v28i5.2557 Received: July 17, 2024; Reviewed: August 01, 2024; Accepted: August 01, 2024

7661 Therapeutic Plasma Exchange as a Bridge Therapy to Total Thyroidectomy in Treatment-Resistant Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis

Abstract Disclosure: M. Maher: None. R. McEvoy: None. V. Farnan: None. D.J. Tansey: None. S. McKenna: None. J. O'Connell: None. R. McQuillan: None. M. Griffin: None. J. Lyne: None. C. Magee: None. C. Traynor: None. A. Hudson: None. M.W. O'Reilly: None. A. Agha: None. M. Sherlock: None. C.M. Moran: None. Background: Amiodarone-induced thyrotoxicosis (AIT) is challenging to manage where conventional medical treatment fails. We report our experience using therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to prepare for salvage thyroidectomy. Clinical Cases: A 53-year-old man was diagnosed with AIT type 2 (FT4 45.3pmol/L, RR 12-22; TSH 0.02mU/L, RR 0.27-4.20) whilst on amiodarone, on a background of lamin A/C cardiomyopathy. He remained thyrotoxic despite carbimazole, prednisolone, iodine solution and cholestyramine. TFTs following 4 TPE sessions showed an improvement in TSH (0.03mU/L) and total T4 (129nmol/L, RR 63-151), despite rising FT4 (91.5pmol/L) and FT3 (12.56pmol/L, RR 2.43-6.01).A 47-year-old man was diagnosed with TRAb-negative AIT type 1 (FT4 51.2pmol/L, TSH 0.03mU/L) on a background of atrial fibrillation treated with amiodarone. He became progressively more thyrotoxic despite carbimazole, prednisolone, lithium and cholestyramine. Following 4 TPE sessions, TFTs demonstrated a reduction in FT4 (42.9pmol/L) and FT3 (10pmol/L, RR 3.1-6.8), along with normalisation of total T4 (155nmol/L, RR 66-181).A 56-year-old female was diagnosed with AIT type 2 (FT4 33.9pmol/L, TSH 0.02mU/L), whilst on amiodarone for ventricular fibrillation. She became rapidly and progressively more thyrotoxic despite carbimazole, prednisolone, iodine solution and cholestyramine (FT4 >100pmol/L). After 5 TPE sessions, TFTs showed a persistently elevated FT4 (>100pmol/L), FT3 (13.1pmol/L), and total T4 (318nmol/L). Lastly, a 65-year-old gentleman was diagnosed with AIT type 2 (FT4 >100pmol/L, FT3 18.4pmol/L, Total T4 >320nmol/L, TSH <0.01mU/L) on a background of atrial fibrillation that had been treated with amiodarone. FT3 showed a modest reduction (8.2pmol/L) following treatment with carbimazole and prednisolone; however, FT4 remained >100pmol/L. The patient developed acute decompensated heart failure and underwent TPE as a bridge to emergency thyroidectomy. Following 3 TPE sessions, TFTs demonstrated a reduction in FT4 (67.3pmol/L) and Total T4 (223nmol/L). All 4 patients underwent uneventful thyroidectomy and were subsequently rendered euthyroid with thyroxine. Heparin was administered during TPE in all cases. Conclusion: TPE is beneficial as a bridge to thyroidectomy in treatment-resistant AIT. Our cases demonstrate that the biochemical response is variable. Given the possibility for heparin to cause displacement of bound thyroid hormones, Total T4 may be a better biochemical indicator of response than free thyroid hormone(s) for patients on TPE. Presentation: 6/2/2024

8232 Therapeutic Plasma Exchange as a Bridge to Total Thyroidectomy in a Patient with Refractory Thyroid Storm

Abstract Disclosure: A. Sridhar: None. T. Chaudhary: None. S. Patil: None. A. Prabha Kumar: None. K. Djekidel: None. B.C. Jameson: None. Background: Thyroid storm is a rare life-threatening complication of hyperthyroidism with a mortality rate of 10-30%. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) could be a bridge to definitive total thyroidectomy in patients with refractory disease who fail conventional therapy. Clinical case: Patient is a 31-year-old male with a past medical history of untreated hypertension, anxiety, alcohol use, substance abuse and a family history of Graves’ disease. He presented with complaints of breathing difficulty, back and shoulder pain for the past 1 day. In the ED he was found to be in respiratory distress with a rate of 40/min. He was started on a non-rebreather mask and was eventually intubated due to worsening distress. He was tachycardic with a heart rate of 130/min and had elevated blood pressure at 170/105 mm Hg. Physical examination was significant for diaphoresis, accessory respiratory muscle use, and diffuse swelling on the front of the neck. His blood work was significant for hemoglobin 11.1g/dL, TSH <0.01 uIU/mL, FT3 >32.6 pg/ml, FT4>7.8 ng/dL and urine drug screen was negative. Chest X-ray showed mild perihilar vascular congestion due to pulmonary edema. CT neck showed nonspecific diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland without dominant thyroid nodule. The patient was admitted to the ICU for management of thyroid storm likely from Graves’ disease. Burch-Wartofsky Point Scale score on admission was 60. Endocrinology was consulted and the patient was started on IV hydrocortisone 100 mg and IV Methimazole 20 mg every 8 hours, propranolol 60 mg every 6 hours, and iodine drops 300 mg every 6 hours after the first dose of methimazole. Since repeat FT4 after 48 hours showed no improvement, he was switched to Propylthiouracil (PTU) with a loading dose of 500mg every 4 hours for 2 doses followed by 250 mg every 6 hours and cholestyramine 4 g orally 4 times daily to reduce enterohepatic circulation of thyroid hormone. After 3 days of PTU, the patient’s FT3 was improving but FT4 continued to be elevated. ENT was consulted for total thyroidectomy, but the patient required preparation to improve FT4 levels prior to surgery. He was transferred to a tertiary care center on Day 6 of admission to undergo TPE. After 3 sessions of TPE serum FT3 and FT4 decreased, patient’s mentation improved, and he was extubated on Day 10 of admission. He received a total of 5 sessions of TPE and underwent total thyroidectomy on Day 15 of admission without complications. Postoperatively he was started on oral Levothyroxine 125 mcg once daily and calcitriol 0.25 mcg twice daily. Patient continues to follow up with Endocrinology clinic for thyroid function monitoring and medication adjustment. Conclusion: Given the high mortality rate associated with thyroid storm, early recognition of refractory disease is imperative. Bridging with TPE while awaiting total thyroidectomy improved clinical outcomes in our patient and should be considered in such cases. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Experiences of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in geriatric patients at a tertiary care hospital in western Maharashtra: An observational study

BackgroundGeriatric patients undergo Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) for variety of indications that poses its unique challenges and complications. We present our experience with TPE in geriatric patients in terms of diseases encountered and adverse events, if any, witnessed during the procedure. MethodsA prospective analysis of TPE procedures was done for a period of 01 year. Patients above 60 years of age with a range of 01–02 volume exchange per procedure were enrolled in the study. Baseline procedure investigations such as complete blood count, serum electrolytes, coagulation profile, and transfusion-transmitted infection screening were carried out before the TPE procedure. All TPE procedures were performed using a continuous-flow cell separator. All these patients were followed-up, and findings related to patients and procedures were documented. ResultsA total of 21 eligible enrolled patients underwent 85 procedures in the present study. Neurological disorders (80.9%, n = 17) were most common indication, with Guillain–Barre syndrome (42.8%, n = 9) being tthe most replaced by second common, followed by myasthenia gravis (23.8%, n = 5). Barring one, all other patients showed significant clinical response. The overall incidence of complications during the study was 80.9% (n = 17), among which majority were patient-related (94.11%, n = 16). However, only one procedure was terminated due to a machine error, and there were no procedure-related deaths. ConclusionThe current study showed that TPE in geriatric patients gives substantial results in terms of clinical improvement but is fraught with multiple complications. However, in trained and expert hands, these complications can be managed effectively.

Successful Use of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange for the Management of Acute Lung Transplant Rejection Secondary to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in individuals with a history of solid organ transplantation is fraught with the emergence of solid organ transplantation rejection (SOTR). The current recommendations for the management of SOTRs secondary to ICI include the use of high-dose steroids along with the escalation of immunosuppressive therapy. Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) has been described to be effective in managing various immune-related toxicities, however, the data for using TPE in the setting of acute SOTRs induced by ICIs are limited. Herein, we describe the successful use of TPE in a patient with a history of bilateral lung transplantation who developed an episode of mixed acute cellular and antibodymediated lung transplant rejection after a single dose of PD-1 inhibitor Pembrolizumab for the treatment of underlying melanoma.

Effects of Primer on Episodes of Hypotension during Therapeutic Plasma Exchange

Effects of Primer on Episodes of Hypotension during Therapeutic Plasma Exchange

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange to Reverse Plasma Failure in Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome.

Plasma plays a crucial role in maintaining health through regulating coagulation and inflammation. Both are essential to respond to homeostatic threats such as traumatic injury or microbial infection; however, left unchecked, they can themselves cause damage. A well-functioning plasma regulatory milieu controls the location, intensity, and duration of the response to injury or infection. In contrast, plasma failure can be conceptualized as a state in which these mechanisms are overwhelmed and unable to constrain coagulation and inflammation appropriately. This dysregulated state causes widespread tissue damage and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Unlike plasma derangements caused by individual factors, plasma failure is characterized by a heterogeneous set of plasma component deficiencies and excesses. Targeted therapies such as factor replacement or recombinant antibodies are thus inadequate to restore plasma function. Therapeutic plasma exchange offers the unique ability to remove harmful factors and replete exhausted components, thereby reestablishing appropriate regulation of coagulation and inflammation.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Complicated by Hyperchloremic Metabolic Acidosis in a Patient with Myasthenia Gravis and CKD

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Complicated by Hyperchloremic Metabolic Acidosis in a Patient with Myasthenia Gravis and CKD

8005 Life-Saving Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Three Patients With Thyroid Storm and Acute Liver Failure

8005 Life-Saving Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Three Patients With Thyroid Storm and Acute Liver Failure

Time is nephron: Daratumumab plus CyBorD in newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma with cast nephropathy: A report of five cases

Background: Renal failure is a common complication of multiple myeloma, often due to overproduction of light chains. Case presentation: Light chain cast nephropathy in newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma is associated with inferior outcomes. Proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drugs with therapeutic plasma exchange can rapidly reduce light chain levels and confer remission; however, optimal delivery of these agents is limited by decreased renal function, and plasma exchange is often limited to tertiary centers. Conclusion: These cases highlight the utility of daratumumab with cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone for acute renal failure in newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma and a clinical diagnosis of cast nephropathy.

Therapeutic plasma exchange in expanded dengue patients having acute liver failure: A case series.

Expanded dengue syndrome is a severe form of dengue fever that can cause acute liver failure and patients with this condition have a high mortality rate. This is because it can cause a cytokine storm, Unfortunately, standard treatments are often ineffective. Therapeutic plasma exchange is a procedure that removes cytokines and improves the patient's condition. Our study involved 15 patients with expanded dengue syndrome having acute liver failure, who were not responding to standard therapies. We treated them with plasmapheresis, and 11 of the patients showed significant improvement in liver function and survived. Unfortunately, the remaining four patients died owing to other complications. Early treatment is crucial for the best possible outcome.

A Comparison of Kawasaki Disease during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children.

The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast Kawasaki disease (KD) with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. A retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients diagnosed with KD and MIS-C at a single institution from July 2020 to November 2021 was performed. The study included 39 MIS-C patients (84.6% male) with a median age of 138 months and 17 KD patients (58.8% male) with a median age of 36 months. The MIS-C patients were older (p < 0.001) and had prolonged hospitalizations (p = 0.023), elevated neutrophil counts (p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (p < 0.001), procalcitonin (p < 0.001), interleukin-6 (p < 0.014), ferritin (p < 0.001), fibrinogen (p < 0.001), troponin I (p = 0.001), NT-proBNP (p < 0.001), and D-dimer levels (p < 0.001). There were more cases of hypotension (p = 0.024), decreased left ventricular function (p = 0.023), and a greater need for corticosteroids (p < 0.001), enoxaparin (p = 0.045), and therapeutic plasma exchange (p < 0.001). Kawasaki disease patients had a greater incidence of rash (p < 0.001), changes in oral mucosa (p < 0.001), conjunctival injection (p < 0.001), extremity changes (p < 0.001), and cervical lymphadenopathy (p < 0.001). They had a longer duration of fever (p < 0.001), elevated white blood cell count (p < 0.001), platelet count (p < 0.001), and alanine aminotransferase level (p < 0.001). The two groups were similar regarding the hemoglobin levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, albumin levels, and the frequency of coronary aneurysm, myocarditis, pericarditis, invasive mechanical ventilatory support, and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. Advanced patient age, a greater presence of gastrointestinal and cardiac findings associated with hypotension, increased NT-proBNP levels, decreased left ventricular function, the use of various treatment modalities, and longer hospital stays suggest MIS-C, whereas prolonged fever and classical clinical features of KD favor KD.

Analysis of the course and outcomes of COVID-19 at different stages of the pandemic in hemodialysis patients

The purpose of this study was a comparative analysis of the characteristics of the course and outcomes of COVID-19 in HD patients at different stages of the pandemic, focusing on the of the use of immunomodulatory therapy.Materials and methods. The retrospective study included 897 HD patients with COVID-19 (mean age 60.7 years, M 58.5%) who were hospitalized at Moscow City Hospital № 52. Group 1 (n=720) consisted of patients infected between the end of March 2020 and April 2021, group 2 (n=177) included patients hospitalized in May-December 2021. Each of group was divided into 2 subgroups based on treatment approaches. Subgroup 1a (n=231) included patients of the initial period of the pandemic who did not receive adequate immunomodulatory therapy, while Subgroup 1b (n=489) included patients of the late stage, were treated with IL-6 receptor blockers and corticosteroids. In group 2, 108 patients in Subgroup 2a received similar therapy, while 69 patients in Subgroup 2b were treated with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies in the early stages of the disease.Results. Mortality rates in Group 1 and Group 2 was 20.1% and 14.7%, respectively (p&lt;0.09). The incidence of unfavorable outcome was highest in Subgroup 1a and lowest in Subgroup 2b (31.2% vs 5.8%, p&lt;0.01). Mortality in Subgroups 1b and 2a was comparable (14.9% and 20.4%), despite more severe initial lung damage according to CT data in Subgroup 2a. In these patients, immunomodulators was more frequently combined with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). Independent risk factors for an unfavorable outcome were the progression of pulmonary pathology, with the transformation of stages CT 1-2 to CT 3-4, and a high comorbidity index.Conclusions. The use of immunomodulatory drugs imprtoved the effectiveness of COVID-19 treatment in patients with CKD5D. In severe cases, the most favorable outcomes were achieved with a combination of immunobiological drugs, corticosteroids, and TPE. An even more significant reduction in mortality was observed following the introduction of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies into clinical practice. Independent predictors of unfavorable outcome of COVID-19 in HD patients were a high comorbidity index and the progression of CT 1-2 into CT 3-4.

Therapeutic plasma exchange in the treatment of thrombotic microangiopathies

Therapeutic plasma exchange in the treatment of thrombotic microangiopathies

Efficacy of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) or Cangrelor as an Adjunctive Strategy to Facilitate Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Patients with Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT): a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ObjectiveConduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) or intravenous cangrelor to prevent thromboembolism in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) who undergo cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with heparin. DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis. SettingN/A. ParticipantsAdults having cardiac surgery with a history of HIT who received preoperative or intraoperative TPE or intravenous cangrelor as an adjunct to CPB with heparin. InterventionsNone Measurements and Main ResultsA systematic review was performed using Medline, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The primary outcome was avoidance of thromboembolism (venous or arterial) during or after CPB. Proportional meta-analysis with a random effects model was used to calculate a weighted-pooled proportion/efficacy for the study's primary outcome. Fifty-seven patients in 17 reports received TPE as an adjunctive treatment to prevent HIT-related thrombosis related to heparinization during CPB and 3 (5.3%) experienced thrombosis. Proportional meta-analysis suggested a weighted-pooled freedom from perioperative thromboembolism rate of 91.0% (95% CI=82.6% to 96.9%). Fifteen patients in 6 reports received intravenous cangrelor as an adjunctive treatment to prevent HIT-related thrombosis related to heparinization during CPB and 2 (13.3%) experienced thrombosis. Proportional meta-analysis suggested a weighted-pooled freedom from perioperative thromboembolism rate of 83.0% (95% CI=61.2% to 97.6%). ConclusionsTherapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and cangrelor are feasible strategies to prevent thromboembolism in adults with HIT who require CPB with heparin. Given the relatively small number of cases in the published literature and a high likelihood for publication and detection biases, prudence remains warranted when using these strategies.