Role of therapeutic plasma exchange in the treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia: an experience.

Abstract

Hypertriglyceridemia of obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and type II diabetes mellitus are highly prevalent in Saudi Arabia. Severe hypertriglyceridemia is a rare but well known cause of acute pancreatitis. In treatment pancreatic rest, lifestyle changes, and lipid-lowering medications are essential, but the response is slow. Recently the role of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) has been stressed for fast and effective management in addition to insulin and heparin infusion. TPE for hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis resulted in drastic improvements in clinical and laboratory findings and patient outcomes as suggested in our cases. However, this procedure is limited due to its high cost and availability only in specialized hospitals.

• Authors: Shaikh Ahmed Muntajib Wassay, Farhan Javed Dar, Asem K Saleh, Ibrahim Mansoor
• Journal: Therapeutic advances in endocrinology and metabolism (Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab) Vol. 8 Issue 12 Pg. 169-172 (Dec 2017) ISSN: 2042-0188 [Print] United States
• PMID: 29238515 (Publication Type: Case Reports)