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Strategies to reduce line infections in a small child with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia who cannot yet receive LDL apheresis
BMJ case reports
  • Misan Lee, Western University
  • Janet Barr, Western University
  • Stewart Kribs, Western University
  • Guido Filler, Western University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2017
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1136/bcr-2017-219538
Abstract

Patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia are optimally treated with low-density lipoprotein apheresis. Young patients who do not meet a weight threshold (25 kg) receive regular plasmapheresis. This approach may remove excessive immunoglobulins and vascular access set-up can be challenging. We report the case of a 4 year-old child who exhibited repeated septic infections (5 in 6 months) and had recurrent access issues before two interventions were implemented: (1) the percutaneous central venous line was modified to two implanted paediatric ports, and (2) the patient started receiving two bags of Octaplasma at the end of each plasmapheresis treatment to account for the excessive loss of immunoglobulins. For the paediatric plasmapheresis access port, a 19-gauge Huber needle had to be used for the arterial port to prevent the collapse of the extension. These two simple changes have left the patient infection-free for 9 months.

Citation Information
Misan Lee, Janet Barr, Stewart Kribs and Guido Filler. "Strategies to reduce line infections in a small child with homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia who cannot yet receive LDL apheresis" BMJ case reports Vol. 2017 (2017)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/guido-filler/103/