Risk of thrombotic events after inpatient intravenous immunoglobulin or plasma exchange for neurologic disease: A case-crossover study

Abstract

Introduction Our aim in this study was to determine whether intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) or plasma exchange (PLEx) for treatment of neurologic disease is a trigger for thrombotic events. Methods Using administrative data from 2005 to 2014, we identified index admissions for thrombotic events. We performed case-crossover analyses for these admissions with previous admissions for neurologic disease with IVIg or PLEx using exposure periods of between 7 and 120 days. Results We identified 1.9 million admissions for venous thrombosis embolism, myocardial infarction, or acute ischemic stroke. The odds ratio for venous thrombosis embolism within a 30-day window after exposure to IVIg was 3.33 (1.34-8.30, P = .0097) and for PLEx was 4.29 (1.88-9.76, P = .0005). Myocardial infarction and acute ischemic stroke admissions were not associated with exposure to either therapy. Discussion Patients admitted for venous thrombosis embolism (but not acute ischemic stroke or myocardial infarction) were more likely exposed to either IVIg or PLEx during previous admission for neurologic disease.