[Plasmapheresis in the treatment of acute pancreatitis associated with severe hypertriglyceridaemia]

Abstract

Acute pancreatitis can be caused by hypertriglyceridaemia. The treatment includes lowering of the blood triglyceride levels. We present a case of a 40-year-old woman who was admitted in this condition. She was treated with plasmapheresis, which led to a rapid decline of the blood triglyceride levels. The national Danish guidelines on treatment of acute pancreatitis do not mention plasmapheresis as a method of lowering elevated triglyceride levels. We suggest that the guidelines should be revised with attention to this treatment option.