Plasmapheresis as treatment for patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia

Severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHGT) occurs when triglyceride values exceed 1,000 mg/dl which places patients at considerable risk of acute pancreatitis. Treatment of SHGT includes lipid lowering approches and dietary interventions. Insulin infusion is considered to decrease triglyceride levels in patients who display SHTG related acute pancreatitis. Plasmapheresis is an effective method and an extracorporeal process which may be used both in urgent and in selective cases. Plasma exchange and double cascade filtration are methods of plasmapheresis used in SHTG and possible following acute pancreatitis. In this article effect and mechanisms of plasmapheresis on SHTG and related acute pancreatitis will be discussed.