Plasmapheresis: Lifesaving treatment in severe cases of HELLP syndrome.

BACKGROUND: HELLP syndrome is an important complications in pregnancy which increases maternal and fetal mortality. This disease usually remits with supportive treatment which includes prescription of corticosteroid, magnesium sulfate, stabilization of mother and pregnancy termination. Plasmapheresis is a treatment of choice which improves clinical outcomes in complicated cases.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 22-year-old woman with coagulopathy and respiratory distress and 33-year-old woman with a history of cerebellar medulloblastoma at 32-weeks' gestation developed thrombocytopenia due to HELLP syndrome were treated with plasmapheresis were described.

CONCLUSION: Plasmapheresis can significantly improve the outcome of patients with HELLP syndrome who are unresponsive to conservative therapy.