Use Of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Research Articles

Extracorporeal Support Strategies in Liver Failure - Focus on Albumin Dialysis and Therapeutic Plasma Exchange

Combining albumin dialysis for the removal of hydrophobic substances with classical haemodialysis in the treatment of acute liver failure (ALF) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) has a strong theoretical rational and clinical data showed a positive effect on laboratory and partly clinical characteristics of ALF and ACLF. However, neither the MARS nor the Prometheus System has so far been able to demonstrate a mortality benefit in ALF or ACLF patients. To date, only the use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has demonstrated significant removal of pathogen-associated (PAMPs), damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, TPE also acts simultaneously by replacing protective but depleted mediators, thus improving multiple key pathophysiological principles of both ALF and ACLF. In ALF, both high-volume and standard-volume TPE showed a significant improvement in survival. The data on the use of TPE in ACLF is still sparse, with only two Chinese monocentric studies in patients with exclusively hepatitis B-associated ACLF suggesting potentially improved survival with TPE. The currently recruiting APACHE study will include patients with the modern EASL-CLIF definition of ACLF.

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

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. 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. 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. 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.

Successful management of massive digoxin overdose using DIGIFab and therapeutic plasma exchange: a case report

BackgroundDespite the efficacy and safety of DIGIFab, it is relatively expensive and has limited availability. In addition, alternative interventions, such as therapeutic plasma exchange, may need to be considered in massive digoxin overdoses. Although few case reports describe its efficacy.Case presentationWe report a case of a 17-year-old white male patient brought by family members to our emergency department in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After intentionally ingesting 48 mg of digoxin tablets to commit suicide, the patient’s initial digoxin serum level was 8.04 ng/mL. The patient was resuscitated in the emergency department. After admission to the intensive care unit, the patient underwent therapeutic plasma exchange, because of insufficient DIGIFab doses. Afterward, the serum digoxin levels drastically decreased, and his symptoms reverted. The patient was successfully managed and discharged 7 days after admission.ConclusionDespite insufficient evidence and a limited number of case reports describing the use of extracorporeal treatment in digoxin overdose, we noted the significant impact of therapeutic plasma exchange on our patient. However, therapeutic plasma exchange’s use in routine treatment requires stronger evidence to confirm its benefits.

Clinical and pathogenetic justification for the use of therapeutic plasma exchange in the complex of preoperative preparation of patients with non-small cell lung cancer complicated by the inflammatory process

Purpose of the study. Determination of pathogenetic substantiation and indication criteria for the inclusion of extracorporeal detoxification methods in preoperative preparation of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) complicated by inflammation.Patients and methods. This study included the data on 222 patients with newly diagnosed stage I–IV NSCLC referred for elective surgical treatment to the Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Medical Centre for Oncology, in 2017–2019. Endogenous intoxication was evaluated in all patients depending on the leukogram results: leukocytic intoxication index (LII), body resistance index (BRI), reactive neutrophil response (RNR), and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Indicators of the inflammatory response, i. e. interleukin 6 and procalcitonin, were also studied.Results. 36.5 % of NSCLC patients developed inflammation. That over 70 % of the NSCLC patients showed pronounced clinical and laboratory signs of endogenous intoxication and inhibited protective systems of homeostasis. Initial sub- or decompensated endotoxicosis together with reduced overall reactivity of the body poses a high risk of systemic inflammatory response to antitumor surgical treatment. This justifies the inclusion of extracorporeal detoxification into preoperative preparation of this category of patients as an active preoperative therapy.Conclusions. Simultaneous elevation of LII, RNR and NLR characterizing the presence of endotoxicosis in sub- and decompensation of endogenous intoxication by own physiological detoxification systems requires an active preoperative preparation with extracorporeal detoxification.

Спорные вопросы ведения пациенток с HELLP-синдромом

Aim. To demonstrate a clinical case of HELLP syndrome with renal damage that required the use of therapeutic plasma exchange and to review the literature data on the treatment of this condition. Key points. A clinical case of HELLP syndrome with renal dysfunction in a 19-year-old first-pregnant woman is described. The rapid development of the disease in the postpartum period required differential diagnosis of HELLP-syndrome with other types of thrombotic microangiopathy. Therapeutic plasma exchange was used in treatment. Conclusion. Differential diagnosis of HELLP-syndrome and obstetric thrombotic microangiopathy attracts the interest of obstetrician-gynecologists. In patient G. the differential diagnosis was carried out in full, according to the current clinical recommendations. Thus, effective therapy of HELLP-syndrome is possible with simultaneous influence on all pathogenetic links — activation of inflammation processes, endothelial dysfunction and coagulopathy. Keywords: severe preeclampsia, HELLP-syndrome, thrombotic microangiopathy, plasma exchange.

Successful Use of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Following Red Blood Cell Exchange for Severe Acute Chest Syndrome: A Single Institution Experience

Introduction: Severe acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a potentially fatal complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) that can progress to multiorgan failure. Treatment includes red blood cell (RBC) exchange to improve oxygenation and reduce vaso-occlusion by decreasing the proportion of hemoglobin (Hb) S. Patients with poor response to RBC exchange are at high risk for mortality. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) may be beneficial in cases of severe organ dysfunction refractory to RBC exchange. TPE is postulated to remove pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduce circulating free hemoglobin, and decrease complement products that contributes to vaso-occlusion and inflammation. The use of TPE for severe ACS and multiorgan failure has been rarely described in adult patients and is even less commonly described for pediatric patients. Aim: To describe use of TPE for the management of severe ACS with multiorgan failure in two pediatric patients and one young-adult patient who did not respond to standard medical management with RBC exchange transfusion. Methods: Case reports Case 1: A six-year-old male with homozygous SCD (HbSS) and moderate persistent asthma was admitted for ACS. His course was complicated by hypoxemia requiring intubation, oliguria, and hypotension. On hospital day 3, he underwent RBC exchange with four units of RBCs. Despite decrease of Hb S to 15%, he remained hypoxic on high ventilatory support and developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. After multidisciplinary discussion, TPE was trialed in hopes of improving oxygenation and reversing multiorgan dysfunction. He underwent 3 TPEs, each with 1.5 total plasma volume (TPV) using 5% albumin (days 4, 5 and 7). After a single session of TPE, his oxygenation saturations improved to the 90s, and his ventilator support was weaned. He was extubated on day 8 and was discharged on day 13 in stable condition. Case 2: A sixteen-year-old male with HbSS, recurrent hyper-hemolytic syndrome, and sickle cell hepatopathy was admitted for medical optimization before scheduled cholecystectomy. His Hb was raised pre-operatively with erythropoietin, in lieu of RBC transfusion, due to history of severe refractory hyper-hemolysis with transfusions. He underwent uncomplicated cholecystectomy on hospital day 2. On day 3, he developed ACS, septic shock, and an exacerbation of known hepatopathy. He was intubated and underwent RBC exchange with 8 units of RBCs. His Hb S decreased to 20% but he had no improvement in clinical status. High-dose steroids and TPE were then trialed. The use of TPE was dual purposed to reduce inflammatory cytokines contributing to systemic dysfunction and to prevent hyper-hemolysis following exchange transfusion. He underwent 3 TPEs each with 1.5 TPV using 5% albumin for three days (days 5, 6, and 7). Throughout his course of TPE, he was extubated (day 6), weaned off pressor support (day 6), and his liver dysfunction began to improve (day 7). He was discharged home on day 16. Case 3: A thirty-five-year-old female with HbSS without chronic complications was transferred from an outside hospital where she presented 3 days prior with ACS and progressive neurologic deterioration with minimal responsiveness. Imaging revealed diffuse pulmonary infiltrates and extensive cerebral micro emboli consistent with fat embolism syndrome. She underwent RBC exchange on the day of arrival to our facility (hospital day 4) with 5 units of RBCs. Her Hb S decreased to 20% but she had no improvement in neurologic function. After multidisciplinary evaluation, TPE was trialed alongside high-dose steroids. She underwent 5 TPEs each with 1.0 TPV using 5% albumin (days 5, 6, 8, 9, and 12). Shortly after initiating TPE, she began recovering neurologically with eye-opening, response to noxious stimuli, and tracking (day 6). After 3 days of TPE, CRP fell from 21 to 5 and ESR from 49 to 23 (day 8). She followed commands on day 10 and was taken off oxygen on day 15. She was discharged to a rehabilitation facility on day 30 with significant improvements in mental status, cognition, and functional abilities. Conclusions: TPE for three to five days should be considered in patients with severe ACS and multiorgan failure with high risk of mortality when standard management fails. The early initiation of TPE likely contributed to the successful recoveries of these three cases. Further studies are needed to delineate the role of TPE in the management of acute complications of SCD.

Use of plasma exchange as therapeutic tool in clinical practice

ObjectiveTo descrive the use of therapeutic plasma exchange in several pathologies and its adjustment to international reference guides. MethodObservational, descriptive, retrospective study, of all the patients that received plasmapheresis between January 2014-December 2015. We analized the appropriate indication according to the bibliography consulted, and the therapeutic outcome. Indication, replaced volume of plasma, number of sessions and periodicity were established by the Hematology Service depending on the disease and its clinical course. Results10 patients (8 women), between 28-72 years old, received therapeutic plasma exchange. The pathologies treated were neurological (9 patients), Waldenstrom disease (1 patient). The technique used was continuous centrifugation with albumin 5% as replacement fluid. ConclusionsThe therapeutic plasma exchange in reviewed patients agreed to reference guides. There was not a direct relation between the recommendation grade and the response obtained. The reduced number of patients is a limitation to obtain conclusive results.

A safe and effective use of caplacizumab in pregnancy-related acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is not uncommonly seen in pregnancy, either with the first episode or with the exacerbation of known disease. The management of TTP in pregnancy can be challenging if there is refractoriness to the use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and high-dose corticosteroids. Caplacizumab, a vWF-directed humanized antibody fragment, is approved for the treatment of acquired TTP but there is sparse data on its use in pregnant patients. Antenatal and peripartum haemorrhage is a theoretical concern with the use of the medication in the obstetric population. However, as options for treatment of TTP in the patients who have refractory disease are significantly limited, off-label use of caplacizumab to achieve disease control and prevent maternofetal morbidity and mortality is a reasonable consideration. This article described the successful use of caplacizumab in a pregnant patient with acquired TTP and the associated favourable outcome. The patient suffered an exacerbation following initial TPE and became refractory to both plasma exchange and high-dose corticosteroids. Off-label use of caplacizumab resulted in hematologic recovery and successful delivery of a healthy neonate. This case represents a contribution to the sparse literature on the use of this effective medication in an often-challenging clinical situation.

Use of therapeutic plasma exchange in COVID-19: A systematic review of current evidence.

Current knowledge related to employment of plasma exchange for treatment in COVID-19 is predominantly based on casuistic evidence in the form of single-center case-series. Published data encompass reports from a total of approximately 225 patients. Based on published reports, therapeutic plasma exchange has generally been employed as rescue or adjunctive therapy in patients with critical illness, with proposed benefit attributed possible effects on mitigation and amelioration of cytokine storm syndrome. Treatment effects remain uncertain, with the impact of plasma exchange on critical illness in COVID inconclusive with regard to both efficacy and safety.

Plasma exchange and COVID 19

Plasma exchange and COVID 19

Therapeutic plasma exchange in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis.

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is the most commonly identified cause of autoimmune encephalitis. Therapeutic plasma exchange has been increasingly employed to treat this disease. This expansion is a consequence of improved techniques and apheresis instruments, as well as the recognition of its applicability in neurological diseases. However, several aspects of treatment remain incompletely clarified, and treatment strategies are still heterogeneous, especially with regard to therapeutic plasma exchange in anti-NMDAR encephalitis. This review provides an overview of the use of therapeutic plasma exchange including the principle and mechanisms, the evidence, initial time, efficiency and complications in anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

Therapeutic plasma exchange application in the treatment of sepsis in a pediatric burn center

Objective: In our study, we aimed to analyze the use of Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in the manage-ment of septic and Thrombocytopenia-associated multiple-organ failure (TAMOF) in the burn in-tensive care unit of a children’s hospital retrospectively. Material and Methods: Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of the pediatric burn patients who were applied TPE between 1 January 2016 and 1 January 2021 were obtained from the hospital information system and medical records and analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups those who died du-ring follow-up and those who recovered. Results: TPE was performed on 14 burned children (Boy: Girl 5:9). The median age of the patients was 6,6 years (range 1-18 years). The mean TBSA of the patients was 47.76% (20-75). The most common cause of burns was flame burn. The mean hospital stay of the patients was 18.4±12.6 (7-94) days. 4 patients in group 1 recovered and 10 patients in group 2 died during follow-up. There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, and TBSA (p=0.590, 0.890, 0.990). We determined that patients in group 2 were statistically higher in terms of MODS (p=0.030), Pelod score (p=0.001), and expected death rate according to Pelod score (p=0.003). It was observed that the application of TPE in the first 24 hours after the occurrence of TAMOF significantly reduced mortality (p=0.010). Conclusion: TPE should be used as an additional treatment method to conventional therapy in critically ill pati-ents in pediatric burn intensive care units. TPE application in the first 24 hours after the occurrence of TAMOF reduces mortality.

Elimination of Herpes Simplex Virus-2 and Epstein-Barr Virus With Seraph 100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter and Therapeutic Plasma Exchange: An Explorative Study in a Patient With Acute Liver Failure

OBJECTIVES:Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 is a rare cause of hepatitis that can lead to acute liver failure (ALF) and often death. The earlier the initiation of acyclovir treatment the better the survival. With regard to ALF, controlled randomized data support the use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) both as bridge to recovery or transplantation—possibly by modulating the systemic inflammatory response and by replacing coagulation factors. Seraph 100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter (Seraph; Ex Thera Medical, Martinez, CA), a novel extracorporeal adsorption device, removes living pathogens by binding to a heparin-coated surface was shown to efficiently clear HSV-2 particles in vitro. Here, we tested the combination of Seraph with TPE to reduce a massive HSV-2 viral load to reach a situation in that liver transplantation would be feasible.DESIGN:Explorative study.SETTING:Academic tertiary care transplant center.PATIENT:Single patient with HSV-2–induced ALF.INTERVENTIONS:TPE + Seraph 100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:We report Seraph clearance data of HSV-2 and of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in vivo as well as total viral elimination by TPE. Genome copies/mL of HSV-2 and EBV in EDTA plasma were measured by polymerase chain reaction every 60 minutes over 6 hours after starting Seraph both systemically and post adsorber. Also, HSV-2 and EBV were quantified before and after TPE and in the removed apheresis plasma. We found a total elimination of 1.81 × e11 HSV-2 copies and 2.11 × e6 EBV copies with a single TPE (exchange volume of 5L; 1.5× calculated plasma volume). Whole blood clearance of HSV-2 in the first 6 hours of treatment was 6.64 mL/min (4.98–12.92 mL/min). Despite much lower baseline viremia, clearance of EBV was higher 36.62 mL/min (22.67–53.48 mL/min).CONCLUSIONS:TPE was able to remove circulating HSV-2 copies by 25% and EBV copies by 40% from the blood. On the other hand, clearance of HSV-2 by Seraph was clinically irrelevant, but Seraph seemed to be far more effective of removing EBV, implicating a possible use in EBV-associated pathologies, but this requires further study.

Our Clinical Experience in the Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis Acute Exacerbations with a Novel Nanomembrane-Based Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Technology.

According to the American Academy of Neurology 2011 guidelines, there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) for myasthenia gravis (MG). The goal of this study was to determine whether a novel nanomembrane-based TPE could be useful in the treatment of MG. Thirty-six adult patients, MGFA 4/4B and 5, with acute MG episodes were enrolled into a single-center retrospective before-and-after study to compare a conventional treatment group (n = 24) with a nanomembrane-based TPE group (n = 12). TPE or intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) infusions were used in impending/manifested myasthenic crises, especially in patients at high-risk for prolonged invasive ventilation (IMV) and in those tolerating non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The clinical improvement was assessed using the Myasthenia Muscle Score (0–100), with ≥20 increase for responders. The primary outcome measures included the rates of implemented TPE, IVIG, and corticosteroids immunotherapies, NIV/IMV, early tracheotomy, MMS scores, extubation time, neuro-ICU/hospital LOS, complications, and mortality rates. The univariate analysis found that IMV was lower in the nanomembrane-based group (42%) compared to the conventional treatment group (83%) (p = 0.02). The multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression revealed TPE and NIV as independent predictors for short-term (≤7 days) respiratory support (p = 0.014 for TPE; p = 0.002 for NIV). The novel TPE technology moved our clinical practice towards proactive rather than protective treatment in reducing prolonged IMV during MG acute exacerbations.

Novel Use of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange and Evinacumab in a Patient with Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia

<h3>Lead Author's Financial Disclosures</h3> Nothing to disclose. <h3>Study Funding</h3> None. <h3>Background/Synopsis</h3> We present a 47-year-old woman with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH), recurrent ASCVD events, and multiple intolerances to therapy (including lipoprotein apheresis) who was treated successfully with a unique combination of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and pharmacotherapy, including evinacumab. Her treatment with TPE required 1) pre-medication to prevent allergic reactions, 2) use of a specific TPE system selected to reduce risk of allergic reactions, and 3) medical flights bi-monthly across California to perform TPE at our institution. Following initiation of evinacumab, the patient achieved persistent low levels of LDL-C and subsequently discontinued TPE. <h3>Objective/Purpose</h3> To describe the novel use of TPE and evinacumab in HoFH when treatment options are limited. <h3>Methods</h3> Patient consent was obtained. A review of the electronic health records for the patient was completed. <h3>Results</h3> A 47-year-old woman was referred to our Advanced Lipid Disorders Treatment Center for management of HoFH. Genetic testing revealed a heterozygous pathogenic variant in LDLR; however, phenotypically her presentation was consistent with HoFH (initial LDL-C 356 mg/dL, recurrent myocardial infarction, and repeated revascularization starting at age 39 years, and extensive family history of dyslipidemia and early myocardial infarction). The following treatments were attempted: statin therapy (caused intense, intolerable myalgia), lomitapide (caused intractable vomiting and diarrhea), and lipoprotein apheresis (anaphylactoid-like reaction ultimately thought due to ethylene oxide sterilant in the apheresis column and tubing). She tolerated ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, and PCSK9 inhibitor monoclonal antibodies; however, atherogeniclipid-loweringg was insufficient with this regimen (mean+/-SD LDL-C over 1 year: 234.33+/-13.47 mg/dL). Therefore, TPE was initiated with a system that utilizes tubing sterilized via gamma irradiation, however patient still received empiric pretreatment with antihistamines and steroids. This was successful but required the patient to travel by medical flight to receive TPE every 2 weeks. After initiating evinacumab, the patient achieved persistently low LDL-C levels and TPE was successfully discontinued (Figure). <h3>Conclusions</h3> HoFH is a rare genetic disorder that portends high morbidity and early mortality. Patients with HoFH who are intolerant of treatments due to side-effects and allergies represent a unique challenge to the clinical lipid specialist. We present a patient with limited therapeutic options who was responsive to bi-monthly TPE. Similar to what has been observed in clinical trials with lipoprotein apheresis, our patient with HoFH was able to discontinue TPE following initiation of evinacumab. Our patient is tolerating her current therapy, no longer makes bi-monthly medical flights to our center for TPE, and has maintained low levels of atherogenic lipids.

The Use of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in the Treatment of a Pregnant Woman with COVID-19 Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

A 27-year-old woman at 17 weeks gestation was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with a history of fever, dyspnea, and dry cough for 3 days. She was diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on her nasopharyngeal swab polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that was positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In the ICU, the patient developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and increased levels of inflammatory markers. She was then intubated for mechanical ventilation and had a treatment for critical COVID-19 illness during pregnancy. She also received three cycles on alternating days of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) since she was failing to respond to conventional medical treatment. During hospitalization, the patient’s fetus was closely monitored by repetitive ultrasound. After 27 days of hospitalization and 10 days of mechanical ventilation weaning, the patient’s respiratory condition improved and her inflammatory biomarkers normalized. She was discharged from the hospital with an apparently healthy 20th week fetus. This case report highlights the role of TPE for treatment of ARDS due to cytokine storm in pregnant women with severe COVID-19 infection. This case emphasizes that careful evaluation of clinical and biological progression of the patient’s status is very important and when conventional therapies are failing, alternative therapies such as TPE should be considered.

Use of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: Therapeutic plasma exchange has been used as a primary or supportive treatment in many diseases in recent years and has achieved satisfactory results in lots of diseases in children. Therapeutic plasma exchange procedure is changing plasma component of a patient's blood with the new plasma as a replacement solution. The aim of this study is to share our experience of therapeutic plasma exchange on varying indications in critically ill children who were accepted to our pediatric intensive care unit.Materials and Methods: We conducted this study between December 2010 and February 2020, retrospectively. Patients’ data such as age, sex, indication, number of sessions, vascular access route, and type of replacement fluid used were obtained from medical records. Indications for therapeutic plasma exchange were classified according to the 2019 American Society for Apheresis categorization. The patient’s follow-up, clinical courses, therapeutic plasma exchange season count, complications, and outcome were evaluated according to each indications and their overall condition.Results: This study included a total of the 84 patients who underwent therapeutic plasma exchange, and their median (minimum-maximum) ages were 7.07 years (0.2-18), 57.1% were male (n = 48) and 42.9% were female (n = 36). A total of 463 sessions of therapeutic plasma exchange were performed in 84 patients. The most common indication was thrombocytopenia-associated multi-organ failure with sepsis (40.4%, n = 34) followed by liver failure/hepatic encephalopathy (28.5%, n = 24) and autoimmune encephalitis (9.5%, n = 8), and according to The American Society for Apheresis 2019 category, patients distributions were as follows: 15.4% of the patients were placed in category 1 (n = 13), 5.9% in category 2 (n = 5), 77.3% in category 3 (n = 65), and 1.1% in category 4 (n = 1). Therapeutic plasma exchange was combined to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in 10 patients (11.9%) and continuous renal replacement therapies in 39 (46.4%) patients. Finally, the survival rate was 50% in all patients, and the lowest survival rate was 41.5% (n = 27) in category 3 group. Conclusion: Therapeutic plasma exchange is enlarging to varying indications and showing to be more effective on a lot of disorders in children. Also, it is available in pediatric age groups and in different states like combined with other extracorporeal therapies.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange: Indications and Outcomes. Single-Center Registry

Introduction: Therapeutic plasma exchange is used to manage immune-mediated diseases as early as 1970th. Nevertheless, the evidence beyond the therapeutic indication is still anecdotal and depends on observational data and national registries from different parts of the world. Aim of the Study: To review the use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to manage different conditions in the Dubai Hospital-nephrology department and benchmark against standard indications categories by American Society of Apheresis (ASFA) guidelines.&#x0D; Methods: The study included all adult patients who performed TPE in Dubai Hospital during 24 months period from January 2017 until December 2019. Patient demographics, indications, anticoagulation used, the number of sessions, duration of hospitalization, ICU admission, mortality outcome, and occurrence of procedure-related complications were included. &#x0D; Results: During the 24 months, 142 TPE sessions were performed for 33 registered patients (an average of 4.3 sessions/patient). The most common indications for TPE use in our registry were nephrology-related indications in 119 sessions (85%), while non-nephrology indications contributed for 21 sessions (15%). Among Nephrology related Indications, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic purpura was the most common indication (47.8%), followed by post kidney transplantation (21%), while non-Nephrology-related indications were mainly for pancreatitis with Hypertriglyceridemia (9.2%). Complications arose in 2 sessions (1.4%), and mortality occurred in one (3%) critically ill patient related to non-procedure consequences and the severity of the underlying disease. &#x0D; Conclusion: Our registry data confirm the safety of therapeutic plasma exchange in a professional, well-equipped nephrology setting when used for proper evidence-based indications with a lower rate of morbidity and mortality.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange: For Cancer Patients.

Therapeutic plasma exchange is used as a trial method for the treatment of cancer patients. Therapeutic plasma exchange uses in vitro technology to remove pathogenic factors in the plasma, returning the replacement and remaining components to the patient to facilitate cure. In the effort to explore new methods of cancer treatment, the introduction of therapeutic plasma exchange brings new hope for cancer treatment; however, the current evidence supporting therapeutic plasma exchange is controversial, and most of the evidence comes from observational studies, lacking large prospective randomized trials. Therefore, this review attempts to focus on the main indications of therapeutic plasma exchange for the treatment of tumors and their complications, including hematological tumors (multiple myeloma cast nephropathy and hyperviscosity syndrome), nervous system tumors (myasthenia gravis associated with thymoma, paraneoplastic neurological syndrome, Lambert–Eaton myasthenia syndrome, and anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis), overdose of chemotherapy drugs. In addition, the issues of side-effects and safety in the use of therapeutic plasma exchange are also discussed. However, well-designed prospective trials are needed to better define the role of therapeutic plasma exchange in cancer.

Thrombocytopenia with and without Thrombosis Following COVID-19 Vaccination

Introduction: Vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) were rapidly developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is emerging evidence of adverse hematologic effects including thrombocytopenia, for recipients of both mRNA and adenovirus-vector vaccines. We report findings in 9 patients diagnosed with thrombocytopenia following administration of an approved COVID-19 vaccine and managed according to the ASH COVID-19 Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) recommendations [https://www.hematology.org/covid-19/vaccine-induced-immune-thrombotic-thrombocytopenia].Methods: The study population included adults >18 years of age presenting to a large Canadian tertiary care centre, between April 1 st, 2021 and May 31 st, 2021, with new-onset thrombocytopenia within 31 days of receiving COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccines approved during this time period in Canada included BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech, mRNA) vaccine, mRNA-1273 (Moderna, mRNA) vaccine, and ChAdOx1-S (AstraZeneca (AZ), adenovirus vector-based) vaccine. We report on the initial presentation, management and 90-day outcomes.Results: Among 9 patients with thrombocytopenia included in this cohort, the median age was 55 years (range 24 to 73), and 5 patients (56%) were female. Seven patients received AZ and 2 had Pfizer vaccines. All events occurred after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine with a median of 11 days between vaccination and presentation to hospital (range 2 to 31). All patients admitted to hospital tested negative for COVID-19 by PCR.Four patients developed TTS, as confirmed on both HIT ELISA and serotonin release assay, following AZ vaccination. Two patients presented with headaches and were diagnosed with cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT); and 2 presented with dyspnea and were diagnosed with venous thromboembolism (VTE). Platelet counts at presentation ranged 14-136 and D-dimer ranged 4000 to >44,000. HIT ELISA optical densities were persistently elevated. Three patients were admitted to hospital and received non-heparin parenteral anticoagulation, IVIG, and steroids. One patient had refractory thrombocytopenia with extension of CVT prompting use of therapeutic plasma exchange. Two patients had recurrent thrombocytopenia within 30 days of discharge and responded to repeat IVIG treatment.Five patients developed immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), four without associated thrombosis and one patient with history of ITP and splenectomy, maintained on Revolade, presented with ITP flare and deep vein thrombosis. Presenting complaints included petechial rash and minor bleeding such as epistaxis. Platelet counts ranged from undetectable to 67; D-dimer levels were normal in all at presentation. Four patients were admitted to hospital and received IVIG +/- steroids. Two patients had recurrent severe thrombocytopenia within 14 days of discharge, requiring repeat steroid pulse. See Table for summary of all patients.Conclusion: In summary, application of the ASH TTS guidance to patients presenting with thrombocytopenia, with and without thrombosis, following COVID-19 vaccination was instrumental in the early identification and successful management of these complications. [Display omitted] DisclosuresCarrier: Sanofi: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Servier: Honoraria; Bayer: Honoraria; Leo Pharma: Honoraria, Research Funding; BMS: Honoraria, Research Funding. Le Gal: BMS: Honoraria; Aspen: Honoraria; Bayer: Honoraria; LEO Pharma: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Sanofi: Honoraria. Castellucci: BMS: Honoraria; Pfizer: Honoraria; Amag Pharmaceuticals: Honoraria; The Academy: Honoraria.