Important Information Concerning Therapeutic Plasma Exchange

By Ann Scott


Plasma exchange is a procedure that involves the removal of the colorless fluid of the blood also known as blood plasma that contains harmful substances that can cause a condition which may threaten the life of an individual. The blood, however, is not returned to the patient, but only the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets that remain. A substitute is used to replace the plasma and functions in the same way as the plasma did. This procedure is useful in removing any abnormal substances contained in the fluid that may cause severe symptoms to the patient. In the case where such a condition has escalated, the Therapeutic Plasma Exchange should be performed.

It is mostly done as a remedy to treat certain neurological illnesses that cause the creation of antibodies which are harmful to the body. These antibodies are usually contained in the colorless fluid. Diseases that can be rectified by such a procedure include acute pancreatitis, Lambert-Eaton, Myasthenia gravis among other autoimmune diseases. Although it is an effective method it does not fully cure the condition but slows down its progress and increases the chance of resisting the disease.

The main procedure is done within a unique machine designed for this particular purpose. It works on the principle of separating the various blood components so as to effectively drain out the colorless fluid while causing no interference to the other parts. These procedures usually take a maximum of four hours to complete and should be done several times in order to ensure the complete removal of the fluid.

The patient is normally injected in the veins located on both arms. The type of needle used is an IV needle that is connected to the machine through a tube that allows the blood access to and from the machine. Blood clots may occur and prevent smooth passage of the rest of your blood through the tube. To avoid this, anticoagulants are added into the blood after it is drawn.

On reaching the special machine, different components of the blood are detached from each other. Once separated, the machine is designed to remove the colorless fluid and replace it with a relevant substitute. It is preferable that the replaced fluid be plasma that is given from a human donor. However, if this is not possible other substitutes such saline and albumin are used.

However, this procedure is also risky in its own way. The first risk is that if the replacement comes from a donor whose antibodies are not compatible with yours, this may cause reactions that may result in conditions like anaphylaxis. On the other hand, in the case where saline or albumin is used, the body may become prone to health risks more as they do not contain enough proteins as compared to this fluid.

This procedure should only be done when there are no other alternatives available. There should be sufficient evidence showing that the symptoms being experienced are as a result of potential abnormalities occurring in the blood.

With all the risks involved, it is considered to be a comparatively safe procedure. Studies have shown that these exchanges are well tolerated by the body. In the case of adverse side effects, supplementary medications can be administered to lower the symptoms and risks of other infections.




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