Document Detail


The use of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) in the treatment of severe sepsis in immunosuppressed patients in the course of hematological diseases.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  16049385     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Treatment of hemopoietic system neoplasias involves severe complications associated with immunosuppression. We present two cases of treating severe sepsis utilizing recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) in the course of bilateral pneumonia in patients with hairy cell leukemia (HCL) and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). RhAPC, limited the coagulation cascade by inactivating FVa and FVIIIa, directly and indirectly limiting systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and improved the fibrinolysis process. These actions break the pathomechanism of sepsis and improve survival. CASE REPORT: Besides intensive, multidirectional treatment of severe sepsis, Xigris (activated drotrecogin alfa) was administered on the second day in both cases. The infusion continued, as recommended, for 96 hours without complications. During treatment the patients' general condition and respiratory efficiency improved, allowing respirator weaning on days 5 and 8 of therapy. These cases of severe sepsis and immunosuppression indicate a high therapeutic efficacy of drotrecogin alfa (activated). Treatment outcome was uncertain because of the patients' hematological condition, so rapid restoration of respiratory efficiency and no disease progression after discontinuing treatment was a great success, possibly due to implementing Xigris at a relatively early stage of sepsis and the intensive therapy conducted according to Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Patient survival in severe sepsis directly depends on early diagnosis and institution of treatment. 1. These cases confirm the effectiveness of drotrecogin alfa in severe sepsis as part of multidirectional therapy. 2. Microorganisms causing atypical pneumonia should be considered in diagnosing infections in patients treated with cytostatic agents.
Authors:
Anna Kunsdorf-Wnuk; Ewa Marzec-Lewenstein; Danuta Arct-Danielak; Ewa Musioł; Romuald Bohatyrewicz; Rafał Becht
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Case Reports; Journal Article     Date:  2005-07-25
Journal Detail:
Title:  Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research     Volume:  11     ISSN:  1234-1010     ISO Abbreviation:  Med. Sci. Monit.     Publication Date:  2005 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2005-08-29     Completed Date:  2005-09-23     Revised Date:  2007-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9609063     Medline TA:  Med Sci Monit     Country:  Poland    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  CS49-55     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Enzyme Activation
Humans
Immune Tolerance*
Leukemia, Hairy Cell / complications*,  immunology,  therapy
Male
Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications*,  immunology,  therapy
Protein C / therapeutic use*
Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
Sepsis / complications*,  drug therapy*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Protein C; 0/Recombinant Proteins

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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