Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis)
Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) is a procedure done to remove part of a person's blood that may be the cause of a disease. In plasma exchange, whole blood is withdrawn and the liquid portion (plasma) is separated from the red and white blood cells and replaced with a saline and albumin (protein) solution.
Plasma exchange requires access to a large vein. The procedure may be more dangerous if it is performed on older adults or people with heart disease.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
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