Plasma Exchange for Septic Shock

(PLEXSIS Trial)

Recruiting at8 trial locations

Overseen by Emily Rimmer, MD, MSc

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Manitoba

Must be taking: Vasopressors

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Terminal illness, others

No Placebo Group

Prior Safety Data

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The investigators propose to conduct a multi-center randomized pilot feasibility trial comparing therapeutic plasma exchange to standard of care in patients diagnosed with septic shock.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Therapeutic Plasma Exchange for septic shock?

Some studies suggest that Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) may improve blood flow and possibly survival in severe sepsis and septic shock, although its exact role is still debated. Early initiation of TPE within 4 hours in severe septic shock patients might improve outcomes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is plasma exchange generally safe for humans?

Plasma exchange is generally considered safe, especially when performed by experienced professionals. While most complications are mild or moderate, severe adverse events are rare, making it a recommendable procedure for various conditions. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How is Therapeutic Plasma Exchange different from other treatments for septic shock?

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) is unique because it involves removing and replacing the plasma in the blood to eliminate harmful substances, unlike other treatments that may focus on medication or supportive care. This process can help in conditions where toxins or harmful proteins in the blood contribute to the illness. ^{2 4 11 12 13}

Research Team

Ryan Zarychanski, MD, MSc

Principal Investigator

University of Manitoba

Emily Rimmer, MD, MSc

Principal Investigator

University of Manitoba

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 with septic shock, who have low blood pressure despite high-dose vasopressors and fluids, kidney injury as per KDIGO guidelines, need mechanical breathing support or have a low P/F ratio, significant drop in platelets, or severe acidosis with high lactate levels.

Inclusion Criteria

I am currently admitted to an intensive care unit.

I am 16 years old or older.

I have or might have an infection.

Exclusion Criteria

Are pregnant

Consent declined (refusal from patient, SDM, or physician)

My doctor expects I have less than 3 months to live.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive daily plasma exchanges until discontinuation of vasopressors, death, or up to a maximum of 5 daily treatments

Up to 5 days

Daily visits for plasma exchange

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for adverse reactions and biological impact of TPE, including coagulation markers and organ function

Up to 8 days

Regular monitoring visits

Long-term Follow-up

Participants' vital status and organ function are assessed to day 60

Up to 60 days

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (Plasma Exchange)

Trial Overview The study tests if therapeutic plasma exchange can help patients with septic shock compared to standard treatments. Participants are randomly chosen to receive either the plasma exchange procedure or continue with their usual care without it.

Participant Groups

Group I: Treatment Arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to the Treatment Arm will received 1.0 plasma exchanges daily until discontinuation of vasopressors, death or to a maximum of 5 daily treatments. Solvent detergent plasma (SDP) or frozen plasma (FP) depending on availability will be used as the replacement fluid.

Group II: Standard of Care Arm Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants randomized to the Control Arm will receive standard of care for the treatment of septic shock in accordance with local practice and informed by national and international guidelines.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange is already approved in Canada for the following indications:

Approved in Canada as Therapeutic Plasma Exchange for:

• Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Multiple sclerosis
• Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
• Lambert-Eaton syndrome
• Myasthenia gravis
• Goodpasture syndrome

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Manitoba

Lead Sponsor

Trials

628

Recruited

209,000+

Charles Semba

University of Manitoba

Chief Medical Officer since 2020

MD from the University of Minnesota Medical School

Rick Pauls

University of Manitoba

Chief Executive Officer since 2010

Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Manitoba, MBA in Finance from the University of North Dakota

University of Toronto

Collaborator

Trials

739

Recruited

1,125,000+

Allison Brown

University of Toronto

Chief Medical Officer

PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto

Michael Sefton

University of Toronto

Chief Executive Officer since 2017

PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and MIT

Health Sciences Centre Foundation, Manitoba

Collaborator

Trials

17

Recruited

9,500+

McMaster University

Collaborator

Trials

936

Recruited

2,630,000+

Evan Stein

McMaster University

Chief Medical Officer since 2015

MD, PhD

Sam

McMaster University

Chief Executive Officer since 2023

MBA from McMaster University

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+

Dr. Paul C. Hébert

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Chief Executive Officer

MD, University of Ottawa

Dr. Paul C. Hébert

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Chief Medical Officer

MD, University of Ottawa

Findings from Research

In a study of 23 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was associated with significant reductions in fluid balance within 12 hours, indicating potential hemodynamic stabilization.

Out of the patients treated, 39% survived until ICU discharge, suggesting that early TPE therapy may benefit some patients, particularly those with high baseline SOFA scores.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic plasma exchange as rescue therapy in severe sepsis and septic shock: retrospective observational single-centre study of 23 patients. Hadem, J., Hafer, C., Schneider, AS., et al.[2021]

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is effective for critically ill children, particularly for autoimmune neurological diseases, with a complete response rate of 64% and an overall survival rate of 92% at discharge from the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Complications from TPE are generally mild, occurring in 17.4% of sessions, with transient hypotension being the most common issue, and there were no significant differences in outcomes between the two methods of TPE (centrifugation vs. membrane-based).

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic plasma exchange in critically ill children: experience of the pediatric intensive care unit of two centers in Chile. Bustos B, R., Hickmann O, L., Cruces R, P., et al.[2022]

In a study of 16 septic shock patients, early initiation of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) within 4 hours of ICU admission significantly improved mean arterial pressure and reduced the need for norepinephrine, a critical vasopressor.

The results suggest that early TPE not only enhances hemodynamic stability but also leads to better fluid balance and reduced inflammation, as indicated by improved C-reactive protein levels.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of 4-hour rescue therapeutic plasma exchange in severe septic shock patients. Ahmed, RM., Soliman, AR., Yousry, A., et al.[2021]

In a study of 42 patients undergoing 104 therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) procedures, 75% showed improvement in their conditions, indicating that TPE is an effective treatment for diseases involving pathological proteins.

The most common conditions treated were polyradiculoneuropathies, myasthenia gravis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome, with the procedures primarily performed using a specific blood separator and citrate as an anticoagulant, highlighting the method's safety and efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic plasma exchange in Casablanca. Tazi, I., Merimi, F., Majd, A., et al.[2008]

In a study of 230 patients undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange (PE) for neurological disorders, primarily Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), the procedure was found to be safe with no reported mortality over a 48-month period.

The most common complications were minor, including paraesthesias and cramps (36.1%) and hypotension (32.2%), indicating that while some side effects occurred, they were not severe and did not lead to serious outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Plasmapheresis in neurological disorders: Experience from a tertiary care hospital in South India. Gafoor, VA., Jose, J., Saifudheen, K., et al.[2022]

In a study of 39 pediatric patients undergoing 172 therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) sessions, TPE was found to be an effective treatment for various conditions, including macrophage activation syndrome and Guillain-Barre's syndrome, with no adverse events reported during the procedures.

The study suggests that TPE can be safely administered to children, with low rates of complications, indicating its potential for broader use in pediatric care for various diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Application in Children Requires Individual Decision. Atay, G., Demirkol, D.[2022]

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is increasingly recognized as a valuable treatment for antibody-mediated disorders in the perioperative setting, particularly for conditions like heparin-induced thrombocytopenia during urgent cardiac surgery.

TPE effectively removes harmful antibodies and immune complexes, improving outcomes in patients undergoing procedures such as solid-organ transplants and reducing the risk of postoperative complications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Techniques and applications of perioperative therapeutic plasma exchange. Roman, PE., DeVore, AD., Welsby, IJ.[2013]

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an effective blood purification method used in critical care, analyzed through 1188 procedures on 329 patients over a 10-year period, highlighting its role as a first-line or adjunct therapy.

The study aimed to evaluate TPE indications and outcomes, revealing important insights into patient responses and potential differences in adverse events between septic and non-septic cases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic plasma exchange in an intensive care unit (ICU): a 10-year, single-center experience. Yilmaz, AA., Can, OS., Oral, M., et al.[2011]

In a study analyzing 883 plasma exchange procedures in 113 patients, 25.6% experienced adverse reactions, with most being mild or moderate, indicating that while complications can occur, they are generally not severe.

Patients with neurological diseases and those with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) were identified as high-risk groups for complications, but severe life-threatening events were rare, suggesting that plasma exchange is a safe treatment option overall.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictors of complications in therapeutic plasma exchange. Bramlage, CP., Schröder, K., Bramlage, P., et al.[2009]

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) by filtration is considered a safe procedure with mild and manageable complications, such as thrombocytopenia (41%), hypocalcemia (18%), and hypotension (16%).

Despite its safety, the one-year mortality rate was 30%, primarily due to severe underlying conditions like pulmonary-renal syndrome and ANCA vasculitis, indicating that TPE is often used in critically ill patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Therapeutic plasma exchange. Experience in 102 patients]. Ramírez-Guerrero, G., Müller-Ortiz, H., Jara-Vilugrón, F., et al.[2022]

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) was performed on 161 patients over nine years, primarily for treating Guillain-Barre Syndrome (67.7%), and showed a 9.93% incidence of adverse reactions, indicating it is a generally safe procedure.

TPE demonstrated effectiveness as a treatment for neurological disorders, providing a viable alternative to Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG), particularly in improving outcomes for conditions like Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange - An Emerging Treatment Modality in Patients with Neurologic and Non-Neurologic Diseases. Bobati, SS., Naik, KR.[2020]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic plasma exchange as rescue therapy in severe sepsis and septic shock: retrospective observational single-centre study of 23 patients. [2021]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic plasma exchange in critically ill children: experience of the pediatric intensive care unit of two centers in Chile. [2022]

3. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of 4-hour rescue therapeutic plasma exchange in severe septic shock patients. [2021]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Neonatal Septic Shock: A Retrospective Cohort Study. [2021]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic plasma exchange in Casablanca. [2008]

6. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Plasmapheresis in neurological disorders: Experience from a tertiary care hospital in South India. [2022]

7. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Application in Children Requires Individual Decision. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Techniques and applications of perioperative therapeutic plasma exchange. [2013]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic plasma exchange in an intensive care unit (ICU): a 10-year, single-center experience. [2011]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictors of complications in therapeutic plasma exchange. [2009]

11. Chile pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Therapeutic plasma exchange. Experience in 102 patients]. [2022]

12. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange - An Emerging Treatment Modality in Patients with Neurologic and Non-Neurologic Diseases. [2020]

13. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Experience in therapeutic plasma exchange by membrane filtration at an academic center in Colombia: Registry of the first 500 sessions. [2016]