Severe L-asparaginase-induced Hypertriglyceridaemia Treated with Plasmapheresis

  • José Silvano Nephrology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
  • Nídia Marques Nephrology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
  • Isabel Tavares Nephrology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
  • Inês Ferreira Nephrology Department, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12890/2021_002342

Keywords

L-asparaginase, hypertriglyceridemia, pancreatitis, plasmapheresis

Abstract

L-asparaginase is used for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Hypertriglyceridaemia is a side effect and associated with potentially fatal complications, including acute pancreatitis. Plasmapheresis may have a role in treatment when triglycerides are >2000 mg/dl.
We report the case of a 39-year-old woman treated with L-asparaginase for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, who developed severe hypertriglyceridaemia (6560 mg/dl) and acute pancreatitis. Intravenous insulin infusion was started, along with fenofibrate and atorvastatin administration, and platelet transfusion. Plasmapheresis was carried out leading to a frank decline in serum triglyceride levels (366 mg/dl), a decrease in pancreatic enzymes and clinical improvement.
The diagnosis of pancreatitis secondary to L-asparaginase should lead to immediate drug withdrawal, and plasmapheresis should be considered when serum triglyceride values exceed 2000 mg/dl. In our case, there was a 95% triglyceride removal rate. This response illustrates the strong effectiveness of early treatment with plasmapheresis in severe and symptomatic hypertriglyceridaemia associated with L-asparaginase.

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References

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    • Published: 2021-02-18

    Issue: 2021: Vol 8 No 2 (view)

    Section: Articles

    How to cite:
    1.
    Silvano J, Marques N, Tavares I, Ferreira I. Severe L-asparaginase-induced Hypertriglyceridaemia Treated with Plasmapheresis . EJCRIM 2021;8 doi:10.12890/2021_002342.

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