Prevention of Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis in Patients with Severe Hypertriglyceridemia

Abstract

The association between acute pancreatitis and severe hypertriglyceridemia has long been recognized. We report two cases of severe primary hypertriglyceridemia (types 1 and V) with recurrent acute pancreatitis. In both patients, observance of appropriate diet and drug therapy was insufficient. Recurrent episodes of pancreatitis were precipitated by dietary fat or alcohol abuse. A plasmapheresis was performed every 4 weeks to decrease the incidence of pancreatitis. It appears that plasmapheresis is a safe and highly effective method for quickly removing serum triglycerides. Moreover, plasma-pheresis may be useful for preventing acute pancreatitis.