Effect of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange on Plasma Constituents in Neurointensive Care Unit Patients: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Purpose Plasma exchange is one of the recommended therapeutic procedures for autoimmune neurological conditions and involves removal of plasma over multiple sessions for exclusion of autoantibodies responsible for the disease process. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the concentration of plasma constituents with five cycles of alternate day therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), identify contributing factors for hypoproteinemia, and examine its impact on clinical outcomes.

Methods This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study involving patients with autoimmune neurological diseases who underwent at least five cycles of TPE in the neurointensive care unit (NICU). Data regarding plasma protein concentrations, serum electrolytes, fluid input/output before and after every TPE cycle and clinical outcomes in terms of duration of ventilation, and NICU and hospital stay were collected from the medical records over a 1-year period.

Results The levels of plasma proteins (total protein, albumin and globulin) (p < 0.001), sodium (p < 0.001), calcium (p < 0.001), and hemoglobin (p = 0.002) declined significantly after TPE. Difference in plasma protein levels before and after TPE did not correlate with durations of mechanical ventilation and hospital and NICU stay. Difference in total protein and globulin correlated negatively with fluid balance and positively with daily protein intake (p < 0.05 for both).

Conclusion A significant decrease in plasma proteins and other plasma constituents is seen with TPE. Changes in plasma proteins are related to hemodilution and protein intake. Decrease in plasma proteins did not affect duration of hospital or NICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation.

Keywords

therapeutic plasma exchange - plasma proteins - neurointensive care unit

Introduction

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a procedure performed for immune-mediated neurological diseases such as Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and myasthenia gravis (MG) among others.[1] [2] The goal of TPE is to remove autoantibodies and immune complexes from the plasma to prevent further damage and facilitate reversal of the pathologic process. This procedure involves removal of anticoagulated blood, which is centrifuged to separate the plasma from the cellular elements. The latter is then reinfused along with replacement fluids to maintain intravascular volume and colloid oncotic pressure (COP). The replacement solutions generally used are human albumin 4 to 5%, 0.9% saline, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), hydroxyethyl starch 6% (HES), gelatin, or dextran 40, either alone or in combination, each of which has its own benefits and pitfalls.[3] The American Society for Apheresis provides guidelines for selection of optimal replacement fluid based on the pathophysiology of the underlying disease.[4]

The extracted plasma containing the antibodies that is discarded results in decreased COP from loss of circulating plasma proteins. Other common changes associated with TPE include hemodynamic fluctuations, changes in plasma concentrations of electrolytes and protein-bound drugs, infection, and transfusion reactions.[5] These secondary changes can affect clinical outcome despite overarching direct benefits from TPE.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in plasma proteins and other plasma constituents during TPE in the neurointensive care unit (NICU) and examine their impact on patient’s important clinical outcomes.

Methods

Study design: This was a retrospective, single-center cohort study conducted in the NICU of a tertiary care neurosciences hospital. The institutional ethics committee approved this study.

Study population: All consecutive adult patients of either sex, aged between 18 and 70 years, admitted to the NICU with a primary neurological diagnosis who underwent TPE were included in the study. We excluded patients who underwent fewer than five cycles of TPE and those undergoing small volume (<15 mL/kg) of TPE.

Conduct of TPE: All patients diagnosed with neurological illness and advised TPE for management of their primary disease underwent at least five cycles of TPE every alternate day as per our hospital policy using centrifugation technique with Haemonetics MCS Plus (Haemonetics Corp, Braintee, Massachusetts, United States) apheresis system. Citrate–phosphate–dextrose solution was used for anticoagulation. About 30 mL/kg body weight (one plasma volume) of plasma was planned for removal during every cycle performed over a period of 2 to 3 hours in the NICU under close physiological monitoring. In patients with autonomic dysfunction and in the event of hypotension, a lower volume (20–25 mL/kg) was removed. Intravascular volume during TPE was maintained with administration of 0.9% saline and HES 6%. The replacement fluid used after the completion of TPE was a combination of crystalloids and pooled FFP (~2 units) in all the patients as per our hospital policy.

Data collection: Data was collected over a period of 1 year from medical and nursing records of the patients. The following data were extracted: volume of plasma removed, daily nutrition (calorie and protein) intake and urine output, type and volume of replacement fluid administered. The biochemical data (serum electrolytes, serum total proteins, serum albumin, serum globulin, hemoglobin, calcium) were recorded prior to the baseline (before the first TPE) and following ~12 to 18 hours after each of the five sessions of TPE. Chest radiography during and after TPE was scrutinized for signs of pulmonary edema or congestion. Data regarding outcome measures—duration of ventilation, NICU, and hospital stay—was also collected.

Outcome measures: The primary outcome measures were changes in the total protein and serum albumin after TPE. The secondary outcome measures were changes in serum electrolytes and hemoglobin, and effect of these changes on clinical outcomes—duration of NICU stay, hospital stay, and mechanical ventilation.

Statistical analysis: The data was collated offline on a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences ver. 17 (IBM, United States). Interval scale variables are described as mean ± standard deviation and nominal data as percentages. The data was analyzed in three ways—first, individual protein values, electrolytes, and hemoglobin were modeled over time to observe the fixed effect of TPE. Second, day-to-day difference in protein values were calculated and modeled to observe effect of fluid balance and protein intake on plasma protein levels. Fluid balance was calculated by subtracting the urine output and TPE volume from the fluid inputs (crystalloids, colloids, blood products and enteral feeds). Third, difference between maximum and minimum (MMD) of protein values over the TPE days was calculated and correlated with outcome measures (duration of mechanical ventilation, NICU stay and hospital stay). Due to longitudinal design of data and moderately high correlations between data time points, linear mixed effect models were used to model the change of proteins over time and for observing any between subjects’ effects or correlations. An autoregressive covariance structure was found to be best fit for individual protein value model and a diagonal covariance matrix for day-to-day difference value model, based on scrutiny of covariance matrix and Akaike’s information criterion. Maximum likelihood estimation method was used with random intercepts and slopes incorporated into the model. Residuals of individual models were found to be normally distributed based on visualization of respective histograms. Post-hoc pair wise comparison of time point data was conducted with Bonferroni correction. Correlation of nonlongitudinal variables (MMD and outcome) was conducted using Spearman’s correlation due to violation of normality of the outcome variables (positive skew). A p < 0.05 was taken as level of statistical significance.

Results

A total of 51 patients underwent TPE in our NICU during the study period, out of which 37 were diagnosed with GBS and 14 with MG. Eleven patients were excluded from the study due to missing data (n = 8) and previous TPE (n = 3). Thus, 240 data points (n = 40, 6 samples per patient including one baseline sample) from 200 TPE sessions (5 sessions/patient) were included in our analysis ([Fig. 1]). The TPE was commenced within 7 days of symptom onset in all patients except in one patient with MG.

Fig. 1 Flow diagram showing flow of patients in the study. NICU, neurointensive care unit; TPE, therapeutic plasma exchange.

Descriptive data of the demographics, baseline protein values, outcomes, and MMD protein values are depicted in [Table 1]. The average volume of plasma removed was 1160 ± 209.76 mL per session with 500 mL of 6% HES used as replacement fluid along with 1048.18 ± 677.29 mL of crystalloids and 310.77 ± 38.82 mL of FFP over the 24 hours after each TPE session.

Table 1 Descriptive data of demographics and nonlongitudinal data

Variable	Descriptive
Abbreviations: F, female; GBS, Guillain–Barre syndrome; ICU, intensive care unit; M, male; MG, myasthenia Gravis; MMD, maximum minimum difference. Note: Values are represented as mean ± standard deviation, number (percentage).
Age (y)	41.15 ± 13.43
Weight (kg)	54.85 ± 9.09
Gender (F/M)	13 (31) / 27 (64.3)
Diagnosis (GBS/MG)	32 (76.2) / 8 (19)
Total protein baseline (g/dL)	7.38 ± 7.50
Albumin baseline (g/dL)	3.94 ± 4.10
Globulin baseline (g/dL)	3.45 ± 3.30
MMD total protein (g/dL)	2.52 ± 0.78
MMD albumin (g/dL)	1.43 ± 0.55
MMD globulin (g/dL)	1.20 ± 0.51
Mechanical ventilation duration (d)	31.50 ± 33.37
ICU stay (d)	37.92 ± 33.48
Hospital stay (d)	53.51 ± 42.05

Change in Plasma Protein Levels

There was a statistically significant decrease in total protein, albumin, and globulin concentration during the five sessions of TPE and all values were significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared with the corresponding baseline values. The trend of change in the protein levels is depicted in [Fig. 2].

Fig. 2 Trends of change in protein concentration during the five sessions of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). post therapeutic plasma exchange day (PTPED)—post-TPE day. Error bars represent 95% confidence limits (upper and lower limits are equal—only one side is represented). p < 0.05 level is statistically significant.

Change in Electrolyte Levels and Hemoglobin

Similar to protein levels, serum concentrations of sodium, hemoglobin, and calcium decreased significantly following TPE ([Table 2]). Serum potassium and chloride also decreased; however, this decrease was not statistically significant.

Table 2 Estimated marginal means (EMM) of serum electrolytes and hemoglobin during therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE)

		EMM	95% Confidence Interval			p-Value
			Lower limit		Upper limit
Abbreviation: PTPED, post-therapeutic plasma exchange day. Note: p < 0.05 is statistically significant.
Sodium (mEq/L)	Baseline	135.75		134.28	137.22	< 0.001
	PTPED1	134.03		132.32	135.74
	PTPED2	132.55		130.97	134.13
	PTPED3	131.98		130.45	133.52
	PTPED4	131.09		129.54	132.65
	PTPED5	131.76		130.16	133.36
Potassium (mEq/L)	Baseline	4.10		3.93	4.28	0.786
	PTPED1	3.96		3.76	4.16
	PTPED2	3.92		3.74	4.11
	PTPED3	4.03		3.85	4.21
	PTPED4	3.97		3.79	4.15
	PTPED5	3.98		3.79	4.17
Chloride (mEq/L)	Baseline	101.50		99.80	103.19	0.324
	PTPED1	101.29		99.33	103.26
	PTPED2	99.57		97.73	101.41
	PTPED3	101.10		99.34	102.87
	PTPED4	99.43		97.65	101.22
	PTPED5	99.51		97.64	101.38
Calcium (mg/dL)	Baseline	9.33		9.14	9.52	< 0.001
	PTPED1	8.51		8.32	8.70
	PTPED2	8.40		8.17	8.62
	PTPED3	8.30		8.11	8.48
	PTPED4	8.23		8.02	8.44
	PTPED5	8.06		7.81	8.31
Hemoglobin (gm/dL)	Baseline	14.02		13.29	14.75	0.002
	PTPED1	13.35		12.47	14.23
	PTPED2	13.11		12.21	14.01
	PTPED3	12.43		11.54	13.31
	PTPED4	11.76		10.77	12.74
	PTPED5	12.01		11.00	13.02

Correlation of Outcome Variables with MMD

None of the MMD protein values were found to correlate significantly with any outcome variable ([Table 3]).

Table 3 Coefficients and significance levels for correlation between maximum minimum difference (MMD) and outcome variables

		Hospital stay	ICU stay	MV duration
Abbreviation: ICU, intensive care unit. Note: p < 0.05 is statistically significant.
Maximum protein change	Spearman’s Rho	0.118	0.106	0.152
	p-Value	0.511	0.534	0.405
Maximum albumin change	Spearman’s Rho	0.319	0.286	0.291
	p-Value	0.071	0.086	0.106
Maximum globulin change	Spearman’s Rho	–0.256	–0.194	–0.227
	p-Value	0.157	0.256	0.220

Day-to-Day Difference in Protein Levels

This analysis was conducted to explore the possibility that the demonstrated decrease in plasma proteins is related to protein intake and hemodilution. Day-to-day difference, rather than actual values were used because, conceptually, the difference in the values would be more directly affected by the predictors. It was seen that fluid balance significantly predicted the total protein and globulin difference levels with 1,000 mL increase in the fluid balance leading to a reduction by a factor of 0.5 and 0.4, respectively. Similarly, protein intake significantly predicted the protein and globulin difference levels with 1 g increase in protein intake, leading to an increase by a factor of 0.0116 and 0.0052, respectively ([Table 4]).

Table 4 Effects of fluid balance and protein intake on day-to-day differences in protein levels

Predictor	Outcome	Estimate	95% Confidence interval		p-Value
			Lower limit	Upper limit
Note:p < 0.05 is considered as significant.
Fluid balance	Protein difference	–0.0005	–0.0009	–0.0002	0.002
	Albumin difference	–0.0002	–0.0004	0.0001	0.147
	Globulin difference	–0.0004	–0.0006	–0.0001	0.001
Protein intake	Protein difference	0.0116	0.0043	0.0190	0.003
	Albumin difference	0.0036	–0.0012	0.0084	0.137
	Globulin difference	0.0052	0.0007	0.0097	0.026

Discussion

TPE is recommended as category I (first-line therapy; either standalone or in conjunction with other mode of treatment) therapy for GBS as well as MG.[6] Previous studies on TPE looked largely at long-term outcomes such as median time to recover walking or onset of motor recovery, requirement for mechanical ventilation at 4 weeks, likelihood of full muscle strength recovery or severe motor sequelae, relapse, and death at 1 year.[1] [2]

There is very little evidence in literature regarding biochemical and plasma protein changes during TPE in neurological patients with most of studies being in non-English language and from early eighties and nineties, and in nonneurological population such as in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] The frequency and interval between TPE sessions in earlier studies were different to the current regimens used for GBS and MG. The type of replacement fluid used was also different from the practice adopted in this study. However, most of these studies demonstrated a reduction in the plasma proteins.

Though albumin is the preferred type of replacement fluid, many centers in the developing countries including ours prefer colloid solutions and FFP as replacement fluid in view of the cost. The complications reported with FFP as replacement solution are transfusion reactions, infection, isoimmunization, citrate toxicity, and rarely anaphylactic reactions resulting in laryngeal edema or bronchospasm.[3] These complications were not seen in our patients.

The decrease in plasma protein concentrations was highest after the first cycle of TPE, with a gradual decline thereafter. This phenomenon has been documented in various studies. Initial studies based on healthy donors have provided ample evidence of rates of reduction in plasma proteins with plasma removal done on a daily/biweekly/weekly/monthly basis for varying time durations. As expected, daily and biweekly plasma donation led to highest reductions in plasma protein levels.[15] [16] However, the same results may not be extrapolatable to bed-ridden NICU patients suffering from neurological disorders. Also, the factors exacerbating or ameliorating this protein decline have not been investigated in contemporary literature. Our findings reveal that TPE performed on alternate days for 5 sessions causes a significant decrease in total protein and globulin levels. This decrease is exacerbated by larger positive fluid balance (hemodilution) and ameliorated by higher dietary protein intake ([Table 4]). Although the conceptual basis for this finding is self-explanatory, the absence of effect of fluid and protein intake on albumin levels during the study is discrepant. Albumin synthesis is affected by protein intake,[17] but the rate of production of albumin is much slower than other proteins. Fractional synthesis rate of total protein was found to be 24.7 ± 3.1%/day compared with 5.9 ± 1.2%/day for albumin in an in-vivo study using radioisotope labeled phenylalanine.[18] The much slower production might account for the apparent nonassociation between protein intake and albumin levels difference.

The effect of protein depletion on clinical outcomes in neurological patients undergoing TPE has not been studied till date and our data suggests no effect on the length of hospital stay or the duration of mechanical ventilation. This is expected, since the etiogenesis of these outcomes is often multifactorial.

The decrease in serum sodium and calcium levels with TPE is not surprising. Reduction in plasma protein levels is associated with reduction in proximal tubular reabsorption of sodium and can cause hyponatremia. While multiple mechanisms have been proposed for this phenomenon, reduction in extracellular basement membrane back-leak of reabsorbate due to reduction in ambient oncotic pressure is suggested as the most probable cause.[19] [20] Calcium reduction is a very common adverse effect of TPE and is attributed to the use of citrate as an anticoagulant during TPE that chelates the free calcium.[21]

Hemoglobin concentration also showed a significant decrease compared with the baseline following TPE. Literature search reveals insignificant decline or increase in hemoglobin values after single TPE session, and after intensive plasma donation of 1 L/day for 5 consecutive days.[16] [22] Red blood cell loss in tubing in a single TPE session is ~11 mL.[23] To explain the discrepancy with earlier findings, fluid balance was used as a predictor for the day-to-day difference in hemoglobin and it was found that 1000 mL increase in balance reduced the hemoglobin by a factor of 0.61 (p = 0.025), and thus hemodilution is the likely cause for the observed decrease in hemoglobin in our study. The fluid balance was found to be more negative on day 5 (–307.4 ±763.6 mL) compared with other days of TPE (327.3 ± 707.2, –147.4 ± 834.9, 164.3 ± 634.3, –271.4 ± 940.2 for days 1 to 4, respectively) which explains the increase in hemoglobin, sodium, and protein values on day 5 of TPE compared with day 4.

Strengths and Limitations

This study provides two important findings. Unlike previous studies that informed serum protein changes in healthy volunteers or noncritical and nonneurological patients, our study provides data on plasma protein changes following TPE in critically ill neurological patients in the NICU. Second, our findings of significant reduction in plasma protein levels challenge the current practice of using FFP as a replacement fluid after TPE at many centers in India in place of albumin. Interestingly, despite significant changes in plasma constituents, there was little impact on patient important outcomes. However, this study is not without limitations. The retrospective nature of the study and a small sample size severely limits its generalizability. Also, its external validity is restricted to population following similar TPE practices. Lastly, apart from TPE and resultant changes in the plasma constituents, several other factors during the ICU course can affect clinical outcomes and these were not evaluated in this study. We, however, took into account factors that could influence our primary outcome (changes in plasma proteins) such as protein intake, fluid balance, volume of plasma removed, and replacement fluids.

Conclusion

TPE results in significant decrease in plasma proteins and other plasma constituents such as sodium, calcium, and hemoglobin. Fluid balance and protein intake predict the decrease in plasma proteins during TPE. However, this decrease during TPE does not affect duration of hospital or NICU stay and duration of mechanical ventilation. Future studies involving larger neurological populations should prospectively explore the significance of changes in plasma proteins with different replacement fluid regimens on clinically important outcomes.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

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Publication History

Article published online:
24 October 2021