Hypertriglyceridemia Induced Pancreatitis: plasmapheresis or conservative management?

INTRODUCTION: Hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HIAP) may result in severe morbidity and mortality. The most effective management strategy is unknown. While plasmapheresis is often performed, it is possible that a conservative approach which includes fasting, intravenous fluids and high-dose insulin, may be successful. OBJECTIVES: To compare the 28 day mortality and morbidity parameters among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to HIAP when treated conservatively, as compared to patients who were treated with plasmapheresis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed, including all patients at least 18 years of age who were admitted to the ICU between the years 2010 to 2020 with diagnosis of HIAP. Patients underwent plasmapheresis or were managed conservatively. Collected data included patient demographics, chronic illness and medications, hospital and ICU admission times, 28-day mortality, need for ventilation, number of ventilation days, need for inotropic support, daily triglyceride levels, APACHE II score, lactate on admission, need for dialysis, antibiotic treatment, surgical or percutaneous intervention. RESULTS: The study included 29 patients. Twenty two patients were treated conservatively and 7 patients with plasmapheresis. There were no significant statistical differences between the groups regarding demographic parameters, chronic disease and medications. Furthermore, on ICU admission and during the subsequent 4 days APACHE score, serum lactate and triglyceride levels were similar between the groups. There was no significant difference in mortality. However, plasmapheresis was associated with greater morbidity (longer admission times, need for ventilation and number of ventilation days, need for inotropic support and dialysis, and invasive surgical intervention). Finally, when compared to conservative management, the rate of serum triglyceride decrease was not improved following plasmapheresis. CONCLUSION: Efficacy of conservative treatment in lowering the serum triglyceride level in HIAP is similar to plasmapheresis. Due to the small patient cohort further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Metformin-associated lactic acidosis following acute kidney injury. Efficacious treatment with continuous renal replacement therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Metformin is a biguanide anti-hyperglycaemic drug. Metformin-associated lactic acidosis may sometimes be life-threatening. Continuous renal replacement therapy has been suggested as a method for resolving this extremely dangerous metabolic state. We describe the history of six patients admitted to the intensive care unit over a 28-month period in pre-shock conditions because of severe lactic acidosis, attributed to metformin-associated lactic acidosis, and successfully treated. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of six patients admitted to our intensive care unit between January 2008 and May 2010. After initial assessment, all patients were treated with continuous renal replacement therapy. Admission serum lactate and creatinine levels, pH, need for ventilatory and cardiovascular support, as well as continuous renal replacement therapy details and length of stay were reviewed. RESULTS: Admission pH levels of the six patients ranged between pH 6.63 and 7.0 and their serum lactate levels ranged between 12 and 27 mmol/l; the estimated creatinine clearance ranged between 6 and 24 ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2) . All patients required vasoactive support and five required ventilatory support. Lactate levels decreased to near zero with continuous renal replacement therapy within 7-19 h in five of the patients whose intensive care unit length of stay ranged between 1 and 5 days. One patient's length of stay reached 11 days because of pneumonia, one died from multi-organ failure and another suffered permanent neurological damage following prolonged cardiopulmonary resuscitation before continuous renal replacement therapy was administered. All other patients recovered without sequellae. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate recognition of metformin-associated lactic acidosis and prompt initiation of haemodialysis are paramount steps towards rapid recovery. Large series reports and controlled studies may better determine the optimal duration and best dialysis technique in these patients.