Plasma Exchange for the Treatment of Transient Extreme Hypertriglyceridemia Associated with Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Acute Pancreatitis

Authors

• Davide Donelli Alta Intensità Medica, Department of Internal Medicine, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova - IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
• Lorenzo Morini Alta Intensità Medica, Department of Internal Medicine, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova - IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
• Chiara Trenti Alta Intensità Medica, Department of Internal Medicine, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova - IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
• Rosaria Santi Alta Intensità Medica, Department of Internal Medicine, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova - IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
• Dimitriy Arioli Medicina II Cardiovascolare, Department of Internal Medicine, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova - IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy
• Emanuele Alberto Negri Alta Intensità Medica, Department of Internal Medicine, Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova - IRCCS, Reggio Emilia, Italy

donelli.davide@gmail.com

Keywords

Abstract

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can quite frequently present in association with acute pancreatitis (AP) caused by transient severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). Here we report the case of a patient presenting with DKA, severe HTG and AP who received urgent plasma exchange for HTG control, and who reached adequate serum triglyceride levels only after appropriate DKA management. The treatment of patients presenting with DKA and coexistent AP associated with severe HTG should focus first on appropriate DKA management. Plasma exchange as a treatment for severe HTG in patients with DKA and AP should be evaluated carefully.