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Intensive blood and plasma exchange for treatment of coagulopathy in meningococcemia
Author(s) -
Churchwell Kevin B.,
McManus Michael L.,
Kent Patricia,
Gorlin Jed,
Galacki Dolores,
Humphreys Donald,
Kevy Sherwin V.
Publication year - 1995
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.2920100403
Subject(s) - medicine , partial thromboplastin time , fresh frozen plasma , coagulopathy , antithrombin , disseminated intravascular coagulation , anesthesia , prothrombin time , fibrinogen , cryoprecipitate , surgery , coagulation , heparin , platelet
Abstract Eight pediatric patients with fulminant meningococcemia, purpura, and disseminated intravascular coagulation who by multiple prognostic scoring systems were anticipated to have a poor outcome underwent intensive plasma exchange (IPE) or whole blood exchange (WBE) in addition to standard medical therapy. IPE/WBE was initiated shortly after admission with a mixture of both fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate as the replacement solution. All IPE procedures were performed using a continuous flow system and a red cell prime. The mean fibrinogen level increased from 62 to 192 mg/dl, the prothrombin time (PT) decreased from a mean of 32.4 seconds to 15.1 seconds, and the mean activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) decreased from 89.5 seconds to 40.1 seconds following completion of the initial IPE/WBE. There was a corresponding improvement in all coagulation factor levels but only slight improvement in antithrombin III (ATIII) and protein C levels. Seven of eight patients survived (87.5%) their initial presentation with the sole early death attributed to meningitis with cerebral edema. Mean fluid balance after the procedure was + 10.8 ± 5.87 cc/kg. There were no significant bleeding or cardiovascular complications during the procedure. There was no clinical or radiographic evidence of fluid overload after the procedure. This experience demonstrates that IPE/WBE may be conducted safely in critically ill, unstable pediatric patients and is effective in rapidly improving coagulopathy without fluid overload.