In recent years, the incidence of hyperlipidemia acute pancreatitis (HLAP) has been increasing year by year, but its pathogenesis has not been completely clear. There are many clinical treatment methods for HLAP, such as lipid-lowering drugs, low molecular weight heparin, insulin, and plasma exchange. Actively reducing serum triglyceride is the core of treatment. Plasma exchange can quickly and effectively reduce the level of triglyceride, and its application in the treatment of HLAP is gradually increasing. This article reviews the recent advances in the pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of HLAP, focusing on the mechanism, indications, timing, and disadvantages of plasma exchange therapy for HLAP.