Management of familial hypertriglyceridemia during pregnancy with plasma exchange

Hypertriglyceridemia-induced pancreatitis is a serious complication of familial dyslipidemias. Hormonal influences during pregnancy can compromise otherwise controlled lipid levels in women with familial hypertriglyceridemia and predispose to pancreatitis leading to increased morbidity in both mother and fetus. We report the successful use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in the management of hypertriglyceridemia during pregnancy resulting in avoidance of pancreatitis and delivery of a healthy term infant. Thirteen TPEs were performed from 19 to 36 weeks gestation to maintain tight control of triglyceride levels.