How long does one plasma exchange session take?
Nov 24, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Heyang
Introduction
Plasma exchange takes approximately 1 to 3 hours per session. During plasma exchange, whole blood is removed from the body, and the separated plasma is discarded. It is replaced with fresh plasma, albumin solution, or other plasma substitutes, which are then reinfused back into the patient's body at the same rate. The volume of plasma exchanged is approximately equivalent to 1–2 times the patient's plasma volume, and each plasma exchange session typically takes 2–3 hours.
Plasma exchange generally takes between 1 to 3 hours per session.
During plasma exchange, the patient's whole blood is withdrawn from the body. The separated plasma is discarded and replaced with fresh plasma, albumin solutions, or other plasma substitutes, which are then returned into the patient's body at the same rate. The volume of plasma exchanged is approximately equivalent to 1–2 times the patient's total plasma volume. Each plasma exchange session typically lasts 2–3 hours. It is usually performed daily or every other day, requiring at least five sessions or more, which helps remove pathogenic substances and reduce pathological damage.
During plasma exchange treatment, it is important to warm large volumes of infused fluids before administration. At the beginning of the procedure, the whole blood flow rate should be started slowly, while closely monitoring the patient for any reactions such as hypotension, bleeding, or gastrointestinal symptoms. If no adverse reactions occur, the process can proceed at the normal speed. After plasma exchange, the patient should rest in bed, and the puncture site should be monitored for hematoma or bleeding.
