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Therapeutic plasma exchange as a novel treatment for severe intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: Case series and mechanism of action
Author(s) -
Ovadia Caroline,
LövgrenSandblom Anita,
Edwards Lindsey A.,
Langedijk Jacqueline,
Geenes Victoria,
Chambers Jenny,
Cheng Floria,
Clarke Louise,
Begum Shahina,
Noori Muna,
Pusey Charles,
Padmagirison Radhika,
Agarwal Sangita,
Peerless James,
Cheesman Kate,
Heneghan Michael,
Oude Elferink Ronald,
Patel Vishal C.,
Marschall HannsUlrich,
Williamson Catherine
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of clinical apheresis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.697
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1098-1101
pISSN - 0733-2459
DOI - 10.1002/jca.21654
Subject(s) - medicine , ursodeoxycholic acid , bile acid , cholestasis , cholestasis of pregnancy , therapeutic plasma exchange , adverse effect , therapeutic effect , gastroenterology , pregnancy , fetus , biology , genetics
Abstract Introduction Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is characterised by pruritus and elevated serum bile acids. The pruritus can be severe, and pharmacological options achieve inconsistent symptomatic improvement. Raised bile acids are linearly associated with adverse fetal outcomes, with existing management of limited benefit. We hypothesised that therapeutic plasma exchange removes pruritogens and lowers total bile acid concentrations, and improves symptoms and biochemical abnormalities in severe cases that have not responded to other treatments. Methods Four women with severe pruritus and hypercholanemia were managed with therapeutic plasma exchange. Serial blood biochemistry and visual analogue scores of itch severity were obtained. Blood and waste plasma samples were collected before and after exchange; individual bile acids and sulfated progesterone metabolites were measured with HPLC‐MS, autotaxin activity and cytokine profiles with enzymatic methods. Results were analysed using segmental linear regression to describe longitudinal trends, and ratio t tests. Results Total bile acids and visual analogue itch scores demonstrated trends to transiently improve following plasma exchange, with temporary symptomatic benefit reported. Individual bile acids (excluding the drug ursodeoxycholic acid), and the sulfated metabolites of progesterone reduced following exchange ( P = .03 and P = .04, respectively), whilst analysis of waste plasma demonstrated removal of autotaxin and cytokines. Conclusions Therapeutic plasma exchange can lower potentially harmful bile acids and improve itch, likely secondary to the demonstrated removal of pruritogens. However, the limited current experience and potential complications, along with minimal sustained symptomatic benefit, restrict its current use to women with the most severe disease for whom other treatment options have been exhausted.