Abstract
Background: Hypertriglyceridemia is a well-established but underestimated cause of acute and recurrent pancreatitis. Initial management of patients with Hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis includes treatment of acute pancreatitis and reduction of serum triglyceride levels to <500 mg/dL by administering intravenous insulin and plasmapheresis in selected patients with severe HTGP. Patients with HTGP require long-term therapy consists of both pharmacologic therapy and dietary fat restriction.
Aim: To affirm the use of plasmapheresis in treatment and prevention of acute recurrent hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis.
Case: A 35-year-old female with familial hypertriglyceridemia resistant to medical therapy and a history of recurrent attacks of hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis presented with acute pancreatitis and TG level of 1414 mg\dl. The patient was admitted and underwent repeated sessions of plasmapheresis along with medical therapy which resulted in a significant reduction of TG and a complete resolution of her pancreatitis symptoms.
Keywords: Hypertriglyceridemia, Hyperlipidemia, Acute pancreatitis, Plasmapheresis.
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Corresponding Author
Dr Hussain A. Jahlan
Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine, Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i4.91
