Severe hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis in young female managed with plasmapharesis. A case report

Background:

Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is reported to cause 1-4% of acute pancreatitis (AP) episodes.Serum triglyceride (TG) levels above 1,000 mg/dl are usually considered necessary to ascribe causation for AP. The mechanism for HTGP is postulated to involve hydrolysis of TG by pancreatic lipase and release of free fatty acids that induce free radical damage. The reduction of triglyceride level to below 1000 mg/dL effectively prevents further episodes of pancreatitis. The mainstay of treatment for the hypertriglyceridemia associated with pancreatitis includes dietary restriction of fat and administration of lipid-lowering agents, Experiences with plasmapheresis are limited.
Case presentation:
This case reports a young female, 22 years old female patient non alcoholic, non diabetic, non obese with negative history for gall stones or significant drug use diagnosed with hypertriglyceridemic acute pancreatitis associated with acute kidney injury, and received one session of hemodialysis then plasmapharesis was initiated and she received 8 sessions with full dose of hypolipidemics, and responded only to plasmapharesis.