Plasma exchange - also known as plasmapheresis For patients and relatives Vælg farve The goal of plasma exchange Plasma exchange is a treatment, which is used to remove harmful substances from a persons blood, which can cause certain illnesses. Typically, this procedure begins during the acute phase of the illness, alongside a second treatment, called the medical treatment. Plasma exchange can benefit a patient quickly, but usually the body will not show a significant response to the medical treatment for the first few days. After this, further plasma exchanges may be unnecessary. Commonly, five plasma exchange treatments are necessary, and these take place within a period of 1-2 weeks. The procedure Blood mainly consists of three major components: red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma. During plasma exchange, a small amount of blood runs up a vessel and into a machine, which separates it into several different fluids. After separation, much of the plasma drains into a storage bag, but the red and white blood cells flow back through a second vessel, and they return to the blood. The plasma, which was removed from your blood, is replaced by albumin or plasma from a donor. The albumin originally comes from donated plasma. Generally the treatment does not cause patients any bother (but see below for potential adverse effects), and you can rest up, sleep or watch TV, while we treat you. Our personnel will be by your side throughout the entire procedure. Preparation, information and consent Before the treatment can begin, a doctor from your base ward will discuss the procedure with you. If you give consent to go forward with the treatment, a preliminary plan will be made, which will include how many treatments you may need, and how often they should occur. Before the initiation of the first treatment, you will be informed by a doctor from the Clinical Immunology Department (also known as KIA), which is the department which carries out the treatment. Prior to the treatment Before the treatment can begin, a cannula must be inserted into one or two of your veins. This can be either one vein in each arm, or a single large vein in your neck. As a rule, you should have had blood tests taken on the day before each treatment. If you do not have a recent ECG (a diagram which reveals the electrical activity within the heart), it could also be necessary to carry out this quick and simple test before the treatment. Your personal preparation We recommend as a rule of thumb, that you eat and drink plenty prior to the treatment. Ask the doctors on your base ward, what you should do, if you are in doubt about anything. With certain kidney diseases, heart diseases, and other conditions, where it can be necessary that you limit your intake of fluids, other rules may apply. The treatment takes typically 2-4 hours, and you must be prepared to stay in your bed throghout this period. If the treatment runs through cannulae in your arms, it will be necessary to lie with your arms straight Odense University Hospital Clinical Immunology Department J. B. Winsløws Vej 4 . 5000 Odense C, Denmark Phone no +45 65 41 35 78 ode.kia@rsyd.dk x 1/2 Materiale nr: 174710 17.02.2023