Table 1 Rating of importance of research questions for plasma exchange in the critically ill patient by sixteen experts in the field
From: Research priorities for therapeutic plasma exchange in critically ill patients
Please score any question q1-16 with a score from 1 to 5 (1 being of little importance for your ideal research agenda, 5 being of very high importance) | Results from 16 experts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mean | Median | SD | IQR | Rank | |
Q1: What are explorative indications worthwhile studying in the critically ill and/or currently under investigation? | 4.8 | 5.0 | 0.55 | (5–5) | 1 |
Q2: Which inflammatory conditions are indication for TPE? | 2.1 | 2.0 | 1.20 | (1–3) | 12 |
Q3: Which (novel) biomarkers can serve as an indication for benefit of TPE? | 2.4 | 3.0 | 1.33 | (1–3) | 10 |
Q4: Which is the optimal timing of TPE in respect to other treatments (i.e. IV Ig, Rituximab, Cyclophosphamid) | 3.7 | 4.0 | 1.18 | (3–5) | 3 |
Q5: Along the lines of timing- When is it just too late to consider TPE – are there conditions where TPE may be of detriment to recovery if not initiated in the correct time frame e.g. ALF/ACLF? | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.08 | (2.5–3) | 7 |
Q6: What is the optimal “dose” and regimen” of PE? | 3.5 | 4.0 | 0.97 | (3–4) | 4 |
Q7: Is the exchange solution really important in PE? Which one is the best? | 2.2 | 2.0 | 1.01 | (1–3) | 9 |
Q8: Is central line placement a mandatory requirement to perform plasma exchange in ICU setting? | 1.2 | 1.0 | 0.55 | (1–1) | 14 |
Q9: How to identify patients at risk and to avoid of complications (risk—benefit) | 3.8 | 4.0 | 1.01 | (3–5) | 2 |
Q10: What is the effect of unselective removal of plasma components that might be physiologically upregulated in critically illness (or part of our treatment)? Is re-balancing to “normal” really a good thing if a patient is sick | 3.4 | 4.0 | 0.87 | (3–4) | 5 |
Q11: What kind of antibiotics and other drugs are removed by TPE?.. (including TDM) | 2.9 | 3.0 | 0.86 | (2–3) | 6 |
Q12: Are there interactions between antibiotics and other drugs removed by TPE? | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.86 | (1–3) | 13 |
Q13: Is there any favorite immunomodulator/immunosuppressant to combine with PE? | 2.4 | 3.0 | 1.12 | (1–3) | 10 |
Q14: Is there a role for micronutrient and vitamin supplementation during treatment with PE? | 1.9 | 2.0 | 0.76 | (1–2.5) | 11 |
Q15: How can we establish the essential educational milestones in apheresis training for ICU specialists? | 2.5 | 2.0 | 1.20 | (1.5–3) | 8 |
Q16 How best to diagnose sepsis in patients receiving PE (when inflammatory markers may be misleading)? | 3.3 | 4.0 | 1.11 | (2.5–4) | 5 |