SAT-577 Severe Asymptomatic Hypertriglyceridemia

Background Case reports of patients with severely elevated serum triglyceride levels (>1000 mg/dL) have been documented where Insulin infusions, heparin and plasmapheresis have demonstrated rapid and successful decrease in serum Triglyceride levels. The benefits of one approach versus the other to prevent major complications such as cardiovascular events or acute pancreatitis has not been well investigated. We present the case of a patient with severely elevated serum triglyceride levels without any manifestations. Case Description A 53-year-old male presented from his primary care provider’s office due to elevated Triglycerides levels over 6000 as per outpatient lab work. Inpatient labs were unattainable initially due to hemolysis secondary to the severely high lipid content. Patient was admitted to the medical ICU for closer monitoring and initiated on an insulin drip. Two days after insulin initiation patient’s triglyceride levels returned as 2,887 with a total cholesterol count of 848. His insulin drip was continued until his TAG levels were less than 1000. Upon discharge his levels were less than 600. Discussion Most patients with hypertriglyceridemia are asymptomatic. However, in patients with levels above 1000 mg/dL, the risk of pancreatitis or cardiovascular event is of concern. Hypertriglyceridemia may account for 1 to 14 percent of cases of acute pancreatitis. Treatment is largely based upon symptoms and complications. In the event of pancreatitis or other cardiovascular complication, plasmapheresis is usually recommended. If asymptomatic, Insulin may be used. Insulin promotes synthesis of lipoprotein lipase which functions to hydrolyze triglycerides, and has been shown to be an effective lowering agent in the treatment of such individuals. Case reports of Heparin being used as a lipid lowering agent have also been documented, but was not used in our particular patient. Normal triglyceride plasma levels are defined as less than 150 mg/dL. Mild hypertriglyceridemia typically ranges between 150-499 mg/dL, moderate between 500-866 mg/dL, and severe is defined as levels greater than 886 mg/dL. Plasma triglyceride levels above 1000 mg/dL occur in fewer than 1 in 5000 individuals. It is said that patients with TAG levels above 2000 mg/dL almost always have both a secondary and a genetic form of Hypertriglyceridemia. For this reason it is very important to identify these patients as early as possible to treat appropriately. Our patient was a known alcohol abuser, yet without the presence of some polygenic familial disorder, the likelihood of our patient having TAG levels >6000 mg/dL, is very unlikely.