|
|||
|
|
|
|
Checking plasma fibrinogen levels for patients undergoing a series of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) procedures using 5% albumin as replacement fluid |
||
|
A therapeutic apheresis team in Massachusetts is interested to learn what others do in regards to checking plasma fibrinogen levels for patients undergoing a series of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) procedures using 5% albumin as replacement fluid. For example, when they treat a Myasthenia Gravis patient with five consecutive TPE procedures on an every other day basis, the patient's fibrinogen level must be at least 100mg/dL, otherwise the TPE procedure is delayed for 24 hours or they use a combination of FFP + 5% albumin as replacement fluid (e.g., 2/3 plasma volume Albumin + final 1/3 plasma volume FFP). The following comments have been received. ADDENDA Dec. 30, 2006 1. A physician in Springfield, Massachusetts reports that when he has treated patients with Myasthenia Gravis with TPE, he has always checked the patient's plasma fibrinogen level prior to consecutive day apheresis procedures. If the plasma fibrinogen level is < 100 mg/dL, he typically uses FFP instead of albumin for the terminal liter of replacement fluid. |
|||
|
Please submit comments to the e-Network Forum. Ira A. Shulman, MD W. Tait Stevens, MD |
|||
|
|||
Printable PDF