Tag: Therapeutic plasma exchange

According to the American Red Cross, about 55% of your blood is plasma, and in cases of severe trauma, infection, or specific autoimmune diseases, medical teams may need to replace it. When considering what do they replace plasma with, clinicians primarily turn to either crystalloid or colloid solutions, depending on the patient’s specific needs.

Millions of intravenous fluid units are administered annually for volume resuscitation and procedures like therapeutic plasma exchange [1.7.5]. When donor plasma isn't used, what instead of plasma can be used as a replacement fluid? The main alternatives fall into two categories: crystalloids and colloids [1.3.1, 1.4.5].

According to the American Society for Apheresis, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), also known as plasmapheresis, is a medical procedure used to treat a variety of autoimmune and hematologic conditions by removing harmful substances from the blood. To prevent hypotension and maintain fluid balance, the removed plasma must be replaced with a suitable **substitute for plasma in plasmapheresis**. The choice of this replacement fluid is a critical medical decision based on the patient's specific diagnosis and clinical needs.

In the United States, a study of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis and severe kidney issues found that about 20% received plasmapheresis [1.8.3]. A key question in this procedure is: what is the best replacement fluid for plasmapheresis?

First used in 1952 to manage hyperviscosity syndrome in multiple myeloma, Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) is a medical procedure that has evolved to treat numerous conditions. By filtering and replacing the liquid portion of a patient's blood, TPE works to remove harmful, disease-causing components and restore balance within the bloodstream.

As an established medical procedure, Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) is increasingly used for various autoimmune and neurological disorders where its efficacy and safety profile have shown clinical benefit. But **what is TPE treatment** and how does this process help patients by removing harmful substances from their bloodstream?