Use of drotrecogin alpha (recombinant human activated protein C, rhAPC) in the treatment of severe sepsis induced by graft pancreatitis after simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation: a case report

Transplantation Proceedings
T GrochowieckiJ Szmidt

Abstract

We present our experience with recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) to treat a 40-year-old preemptive simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (spktx) recipient who developed septic shock due to graft pancreatitis. We diagnosed intra-abdominal septic complications with septicemia induced by multiple pathogens and cardiopulmonary insufficiency. Until the 59th posttransplant day, 21 peritoneal lavages were performed to treat peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscesses. On the 53rd day when septic shock was diagnosed, rhAPC was administered, after which the patient improved, vasoconstrictive agents were reduced, and respiratory insufficiency resolved. The Physiologic and Operative Severity Score for enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity (POSSUM) scale showed a decrease in predicted mortality from 93% to 17% on day 7 after rhAPC initiation. The patient was discharged at 128 days after spktx with good function of both grafts. Administration of rhAPC limited systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and may be considered when faced with the dilemma of stopping immunosuppression to save a recipient's life but at the cost of rejection of a functioning graft.

References

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Mar 10, 2001·The New England Journal of Medicine·G R BernardUNKNOWN Recombinant human protein C Worldwide Evaluation in Severe Sepsis (PROWESS) study group

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Citations

Apr 11, 2012·Pancreatology : Official Journal of the International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) ... [et Al.]·Charles J MirandaAjith K Siriwardena
Jun 17, 2008·Transplantation Proceedings·A Perri, R Fumagalli
Apr 28, 2009·Transplant Infectious Disease : an Official Journal of the Transplantation Society·S BerkmanK D Chavin
Jul 29, 2011·Transplant Infectious Disease : an Official Journal of the Transplantation Society·D J FunkE W Moretti
May 18, 2011·Journal of Intensive Care Medicine·Joseph R Scalea, Matthew Cooper
Jul 10, 2007·Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology·Chih-Chung HuangK Kirk Shung

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