Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In this study we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of plasmapheresis in the patients presenting with intoxication who were treated in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

METHODS

Intoxicated patients treated with plasmapheresis in our ICU between January 2014 and December 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. The data of demographic characteristics, AST, ALT, LDH, CK and total bilirubin levels before and after plasmapheresis were recorded. The effectiveness of plasmapheresis was evaluated by comparing the values before and after the treatment.

RESULTS

Thirty eight patients were included in the study. At the end of a median 5.5 (1-106) days duration of stay in ICU, 32 (84.2%) patients were discharged with healing and 6 (15.8%) patients died. Totally 61 (minimum 1, maximum 4) times of plasmapheresis were applied to the patients. When compared the AST, ALT, LDH, CK and total bilirubin levels before and after plasmapheresis, there were significant decrease in these levels after plasmapheresis. (p <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, =0.014, <0.001, respectively). In the patients who died at the end of a median 5.5 days duration of stay in Intensive Care Unit AST and ALT levels before plasmapheresis were significantly higher ( p = 0.014, 0.046, respectively).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Plasmapheresis, mostly used for intoxications in ICU, is a safety method that provides quick improvement in laboratory. But the positive effect of plasmapheresis on mortality could not be shown in the patients with very high levels of AST and ALT at the beginning of the treatment.