Ljubica Bubić-Filipi

Complications of therapeutic plasma exchange: experience with 4857 treatments.

Abstract:  Plasma exchange (PE) is a technique of extracorporeal blood purification which removes large molecular weight substances from plasma. The Department of Dialysis, Zagreb University Hospital Centers database, which includes data on 509 patients, or 4857 PE treatments, was retrospectively analyzed to test the safety of PE. A total of 231 adverse reactions were recorded (4.75% of treatments). The most common complications were paresthesias (2.7%), hematoma at the puncture site (2.4%), clotting (1.7%), mild to moderate allergic reactions (urticaria; 1.6%) and bleeding (0.06%). True anaphylactoid reactions were recorded in five procedures. The incidence of severe, potentially life‐threatening adverse reactions was 0.12%. The prophylactic use of calcium and potassium was responsible for a low incidence of electrolyte disturbances. There was no lethal outcome associated with PE. When carried out by experienced staff, PE is a relatively safe procedure. The use of fresh frozen plasma is associated with a higher rate of adverse reactions.

Treatment of thrombotic microangiopathies with plasma exchange

Abstract Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a syndrome characterized by thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, neurologic abnormalities, fever and renal dysfunction. This retrospective analysis sought to determine the clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with TMA treated with plasma exchange at the Department of Dialysis, University Hospital Zagreb. From 1982 to July 2005, 17 patients (10 male and 7 female, age ranging from 18 to 74 years) have been diagnosed with TMA. The most common presenting symptom was purpura in 76.5%, followed by neurologic disturbance in 70.5%, renal function abnormality in 41.1%, and fever in 29.4% of patients. Patients were treated with a daily plasma exchange, which was continued until the normalization of platelet count with minimal hemolysis. Plasma exchange treatment was first tapered and later discontinued with careful monitoring of laboratory parameters. Of the 17 patients, 13 achieved complete remission after 5–32 sessions, two had partial response, and two had no response and died of progressive disease. Four patients developed chronic relapsing TMA, and three of them progressed to end-stage renal disease. Survival at 1year in our series exceeds 88%, but decreased with duration of follow-up. Overall, with the median follow up of 5 years, 6 patients died from consequences of TMA (35.3%); three with chronic TMA, and 2 in the acute phase of progressive disease. A 74-year old male who developed TMA after prostate cancer died from disseminated malignant disease. Our results demonstrate a high incidence of renal function abnormalities in patients with TMA at presentation, but also during long term follow-up. Development of end-stage renal disease was associated with poor prognosis. Further studies, long term follow-up and establishment of international registries are needed to clarify many dilemmas associated with the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of patients with TMA.

Conversion from Twice-Daily to Once-Daily Tacrolimus Improves Graft Function but has no Influence on Proteinuria in Renal Transplant Recipients

Abstract Introduction. Tacrolimus extended-release formulation enables once-daily use. Although an increasing number of patients have been converted from twice-daily (Tac- BID) to once-daily (Tac-QD) formulation, the available information regarding the initiation and follow-up of Tac- QD is sparse. In the present study we investigated influence of switch from Tac-BID or cyclosporine to Tac-QD on renal allograf function, proteinuria and protein-creatinine (P/C) ratio. Methods. Between October 2012 and October 2014, the switch from Tac-BID or cyclosporine to tacrolimus extended-release formulation was done in 129(38% female, mean age 49 years) renal transplant recipients at different time after transplantation. The analysis focused on markers of graft function (GFR, serum creatinine, proteinuria, P/C ratio), liver function (AST, ALT, γGT, alkaline phosphatase) and blood glucose. Clinical data were obtained at baseline (before conversion), 1 month (V1), 6 months (V6) and 12 months (V12) after conversion. Results. Both serum creatinine and GFR showed a statistically significant improvement. With GFR, signifycant improvement was observed as early as V1 and it continued to increase throughout the study period up to V12 (all between-visit changes were statistically significant). With serum creatinine, mean levels were numerically decreasing throughout the follow-up period, but a significant improvement occurred at V6 and remained significant at V12 (both vs. V0 values). Proteinuria and P/C ratio did not show any significant change through the observation period. In the majority of patients, the baseline values of AST, ALT, GGT, AlP and glucose were within normal limits and did not change significantly through the observation period. Analysis of tacrolimus C0 showed a significant decrease throughout the follow-up period, at practically all visit. This finding was paralleled by a significant tacrolimus dose decrease from baseline to V6 and V12, as well as by a significant decrease of tacrolimus dose/body weight. Conclusions. Conversion from cyclosporine or Tac-BID to extended-release Tac-QD improves graft function in renal transplant recipients, without influence on proteinuria or P/C ratio.